VANCOUVER – Second half goals from
Marco Visintin and
Graham Smith gave the UBC Thunderbirds a 2-0 win over the Saskatchewan Huskies Friday night at a windy Thunderbird Park.
The win allows the T-Birds (8-3-0) to keep pace with Trinity Western, who beat Alberta 1-0 on Friday, as they remain tied atop the Canada West standings with 24 points apiece. Saskatchewan falls to 2-7-2 and remains in seventh place.
Visintin's goal came in the 64th minute following crisp passing by his teammates.
Matt Allard sent the ball across the box to
Ryan Reynolds, who then headed the ball to himself and sent a pass into a waiting Visintin. The second-year midfielder made no mistake and swiftly struck the ball inside the far post for his first goal of the season.
UBC carried the play for the majority of the first taking advantage of a strong wind at their back. The T-Birds threatened but were unable to score on two free kicks from
Tyson Keam whose powerful shots were twice turned away.
"I thought we adjusted well to the conditions," said UBC head coach
Mike Mosher referring to the fierce winds that swept over Point Grey.
Smith's insurance goal came eight minutes before time off a free kick. Keam sent a low ball into the box that was met by a charging Smith who neatly flicked the ball into the open far side.
"Their keeper made some big saves and We were unlucky not to score in the first half," added Mosher. "Having to go into the wind in the second forced us to keep the ball down and we were able to capitalize."
UBC managed to keep ever dangerous Josh Northey and Jerson Barandica-Hamilton off the scoreboard. The duo did force UBC keeper Elliot Usher into making 3 saves to preserve the clean sheet, his fourth of the year.
The Huskies travel to Langley to take on the Trinity Western on Saturday while the T-Birds host the Alberta Golden Bear Saturday evening at Thunderbird Park with kick-off scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
