LETHBRIDGE – The No. 3 UBC Thunderbirds men's soccer team surrendered an injury time goal to Justin Marin and had to settle for a 1-1 draw with the Lethbridge Pronghorns.
After struggling to find an offensive rhythm all game, a long throw from graduating captain Justin Larivere was flicked on, hitting a UBC defender and laid in the box for Marin to slide in and knock the ball into the far left corner.
The Thunderbirds started the game choosing to go with the wind and they were able to take advantage of the heavy wind early, maintaining the pressure for the first 10 minutes of the half, creating a number of chances.
In the 11th minute, the T-Birds opened the scoring;
Sean Haley's shot deflected off a 'Horns defender and trickled into the far corner of the net, out of the reach of 'Horns keeper Colin Pattison's outstretched hands.
Navid Mashinchi had a trio of chances but Pattison was equal to the task, making two difficult stops. Pattison finished the opening half with 6 saves to set a new Canada West single season record for saves. Pattison broke Victoria's Dan Kilpatrick's record of 88 saves in a season and finished the 2011 campaign with 94 saves.
The 'Horns best chance of the opening half came off the foot of Lucas Rajcic. Shlomo Swan-Azmann made a nice run into the T-Bird box but his cross was blocked by a defender, which left Rajcic with a clear shot but he curled the ball wide of the far post.
With the wind continuing to escalate the play was really hampered by the stiff gusts, limiting much of the play to the middle of the field. After having 13 first half shot attempts the T-Birds only managed three in the second and only threatened once. Haley forced Pattison to make another diving save to keep the 'Horns within striking distance.
The Horns best chance to tie the score, prior to Marin's heroics came from Matt Medoruma but his drive sailed over the bar.
With the tie the 'Horns finish the 2011 campaign with a 1-11-2 record, while the T-Birds finish the season at 7-1-6, good enough for second in the Canada West conference.
UBC will face Trinity Western in the first round of the conference championship final four hosted by the University of Victoria.
