The University of British Columbia Athletics

VANCOUVER - In a crucial mid-season men's soccer match up between the top two teams in the Canada West Pacific Division, the No. 3-ranked UBC Thunderbirds came out on top 2-1 against the University of Victoria Vikes on Vancouver Island.

BOX SCORE
 
UBC wasted no time against the host Vikes scoring twice within the first six minutes of the game. Those goals were enough for UBC to hold on for the victory, with Paul Clerc collecting both the Thunderbirds tallies. Gavin Barrett added a goal in extra time for the Vikes.
 
Early in the game, Victoria had trouble clearing the defensive zone as the Thunderbirds continually applied pressure and prevented the Vikes from setting up. UBC was able to convert on its early chances and take control of the game from there.
 
On almost identical plays, Paul Clerc was able to give the Thunderbirds the early lead courtesy of two beautiful crosses and never looked back. A 40-yard free kick from the right side of the pitch by Reynold Stewart found the head of Clerc without interruption to startle the Vikes in the third minute, while an identical set play from Navid Mashinchi gave Clerc his second goal in the sixth minute.
 
With tonight's performance, defender Clerc takes control of top spot in the Pacific Division scoring race, registering his fourth and fifth of the season.
 
Perhaps the turning point of the game came in the 30th minute as the Vikes were awarded a penalty shot after Cam Hundal was taken down by goaltender Ante Boskovic inside the 18-yard box. Boskovic kept the Vikes off the board, as a diving save was enough to keep the low strike from finding the back of the net. The UBC goaltender stood tall in goal as he registered four saves for the win.
 
A late goal by Victoria's Gavin Barrett spoiled Boskovic's shutout bid with Craig Gorman collected the assist.
 
Although allowing two early strikes, Boskovic' counterpart Elliot Mitrou was solid for the remainder of the match keeping the game close, collecting three saves in the loss.
 
The Thunderbirds are currently riding a four-game winning streak and with the win, improve to 5-1-0 on the season and sit atop the Pacific Division with 15 points. The loss snaps the Vikes' four-game winning streak. They sit three points behind UBC. The Thunderbirds remain unbeaten against Victoria this season, collecting its second road win in as many games.
 
The Thunderbirds remain busy as the team hosts Saskatchewan and Alberta next weekend, marking the halfway point in the Canada West regular season. The game against Saskatchewan goes on Friday at 7:15 p.m. while Alberta will come to town on Saturday, with kick off set for 7 p.m.

- with files from Ali Lee, Victoria Sports Information

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