Ryan Reynolds' goal early in the second half was enough to send the UBC Thunderbirds past the Alberta Golden Bears and into the playoffs as they won 1-0 Saturday night at Thunderbird Park.
The win gives the Thunderbirds (9-3-0) the full six points from the weekend en route to finishing their home season with a perfect 7-0-0 record. The 'Birds remain atop the Canada West standings along with Trinity Western, each with 27 points, while the Golden Bears (5-3-4) fall into a third place tie with Victoria.
Reynolds put the T-Birds ahead mere seconds into the second half when he followed up a powerful strike by midfielder
Tyson Keam that Alberta keeper Jaswinder Gill was unable to handle. The fourth-year striker then did well to collect the ball and put it inside the right post behind a ready Gill. The goal was a welcome sight for Reynolds who had the best chance of the first half to to put his side ahead but put the ball just wide.
"Ryan had a strong game tonight and he did well to finish his chance", said UBC head coach
Mike Mosher.
The 'Birds end their home schedule without allowing a goal on their home turf, totaling to 7 shutouts, which Mosher attributes to the stellar play of his back four.
"Our back line didn't allow any chances all game. The centre backs did well to head away a lot of crosses and turn away their attack," said Mosher.
Also contributing to the shutout streak was fifth-year keeper
Nikolai Matni, who registered his fourth clean sheet of the season, making three saves in the process.
The best chance for the visitors didn't have to be stopped by Matni. In extra time and with UBC down to 10 men, after Reynolds was given a straight red card, Scott Gilroy put a header just wide of the far post off a Golden Bears' corner kick.
Alberta will look to secure a playoff spot next weekend when they play a home-and-home series against Saskatchewan. The Thunderbirds close out their season on the road in Alberta against Calgary and Lethbridge.
UBC will need two wins on the road and help from their opponents if they hope to host the Canada West final four as TWU, who currently hold the tie-break over the T-Birds, will take on those same two teams. The T-Birds begin the weekend Saturday afternoon in Calgary with kickoff shceduled for 2:15 p.m.
