BURNABY, B.C. - There was no question which men's soccer team was better on Saturday night as the defending CIS champion UBC Thunderbirds crushed the Simon Fraser University Clan, 2013 NCAA Division II semifinalists, by a score of 3-0 in a non-conference game at Terry Fox Field in Burnaby.
"It's a terrific win, it's a huge win against a good opponent and that's a major positive for this group going forward," said UBC head coach
Mike Mosher. "I thought it was a very solid performance from our group. We didn't give up many chances through the course of the game. We kept a clean sheet so that's a positive as well."
MSOC: UBC v. SFU (Aug. 31, 2013) Gallery
The Thunderbirds controlled the play from the opening whistle to the final horn, earning 10 corner kicks to the Clan's two and out-shooting the hosts 16-9.
UBC opened the scoring in the 20th minute when
Milad Mehrabi (Coquitlam, BC) scored from the top of the penalty area after taking a cross from
Navid Mashinchi (Port Moody, BC).
The 'Birds took the one-goal lead into the half but had other good opportunities to score. Mashinchi hit the goalpost with a shot in the 39th minute and then had another shot cleared off the goal line four minutes later.
But defender
Paul Clerc (Coquitlam, BC) quickly doubled the lead out of halftime, heading a
Bryan Fong (Vancouver, BC) volley into the SFU net in the 47th minute.
Just nine minutes later, the T-Birds scored in the air again as newcomer
Niall Cousens (Vancouver, BC) headed home a Mashinchi cross that travelled from the right side towards the far post.
"We've got some nice attacking pieces," said Mosher when asked about his team's offence. "It was nice to see Niall slot in and combine well with the group. I thought Milad really worked hard and had a strong game. With Milad, Niall, Reynold, Harry, Navid; there are so many good pieces there."
UBC goalkeeper
Richard Meister (Port Moody, BC) wasn't tested often but was solid when called upon, making five saves including a diving stop on a quick header from SFU's Lucas Ferritto early in the second half.
The team will now prepare for the start of the Canada West regular season campaign. The Thunderbirds will face the University of Victoria Vikes on Friday night on Vancouver Island before returning home to host the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades on Sunday afternoon.
Tickets to the game, as well as season's passes, can be purchased at http://www,gothunderbirds.ca/tickets
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