The UBC Thunderbirds (6-3-0) host the no. 1 Trinity Western Spartans (6-0-3) this Friday in the second of two meetings between the lower mainland rivals who are currenlyt first (TWU) and second (UBC) in the Canada West standings with 21 and 18 points respectively.
Since UBC's 0-2 start to the season, the T-Birds have gone 6-1 over their last seven to vault up the conference table and are now within a victory of pulling even with the undefeated Spartans for first in the conference.
The last time these two teams met, the Spartans earned a 2-1 victory in Langley on October 2nd. UBC controlled much of the play in the second half after seeing TWU stake themselves to a 2-0 lead, however, the T-Birds sustained pressure was undone by a lack of finishing in the front third of the pitch.
UBC has just 10 goals through nine games this season, however, their staunch defence has conceded just three goals in their last seven contests. Keepers Elliot Usher and
Nikolai Matni have combined for five clean sheets and they each sport goals against averages under 0.80.
Second year midfielder
Devin Gunenc has been a standout for the T-Birds all over the pitch and has expanded his role as a primarily defensive midfielder to include a nice bit of finish.
The reigning Canada West Rookie of the Year leads the T-Birds with three goals and two assists, including the winner in the T-Birds big 1-0 victory over Victoria last Saturday.
Outside of Gunenc, the T-Birds have no one on the roster with more than one goal and will need to continue limiting opponents chances while finding more scoring from the rest of the squad.
In contrast to UBC lack's of scoring, TWU leads the conference with 18 goals through nine games behind the strong season of striker Nathan Pogue who has a league best seven goals. Four of those markers have come in the last three Spartan games, including a pair against UBC almost two weeks ago.
Defensively the Spartans have also fared well, allowing eight goals which trails only Alberta (four) and UBC's (six) effort so far.
Despite these teams current 1-2 standing, it is possible that neither of these squads will be in first place following this weekend as Alberta has a game in hand on both squads and is sitting on 17 points.
A tie or UBC win combined with a pair of Alberta wins, they host provincial rivals Calgary and Lethbridge who have just a combined four wins all season, would see the Golden Bears vault both BC teams into first overall.
