The Matchup

The UBC Thunderbirds men's soccer team (7-1-6) will cap of their Canada West regular season with a pair of home games this weekend at Thunderbird Stadium. The 'Birds will host  the UBC Okanagan Heat (5-7-2) on Friday, October 21 and the Thompson Rivers Wolf Pack (6-7-1) on Saturday, October 22. Both games kick off at 7:00pm (PT).



UBC opened their regular season on the road against both UBCO and Thompson Rivers. Both matches were tight, with the T-Birds edging the Wolfpack 2-1 and walking away with a 1-1 draw against the Heat. The pressure is still on for UBC, as a single win this weekend will launch the Thunderbirds to the top spot in the Canada West Pacific Division.

Last Action

UBC is fresh off a pair of back-to-back games against Victoria. Both clubs enjoyed a game on home field, with UBC securing a 3-2 win in their first meeting at Thunderbird Stadium. The following night ended with a scoreless draw in Victoria, UBC's fourth nil-nil game of the season. 

Thompson Rivers fell for the first time in October last Saturday against UFV. Prior to the 2-0 loss, the Wolfpack had three straight wins without allowing a single goal against. 

The Heat Logged their first win in five games after narrowly defeating Trinity Western 1-0 last Sunday. Prior to that goal, UBCO had failed to register a point in four matchups. Despite the brief drought, a win over a dominant Spartans team shows they are a capable club. 

By the Numbers 

2 – Points separating UBC from the Canada West No. 1 Trinity Western Spartans. With the Spartans season finished, a single win will give UBC the lead heading into the post season.
 

Competition day today at Thunderbird pic.twitter.com/A5wOJ8rzfk

— UBC Men's Soccer (@ubcmsoc) October 12, 2016

212 – Number of shots by the T-Birds this season. The impressive number has the team ranked third in CIS for total shots. 

Players to Watch

Titouan Chopin (#7, F) – His 44 shots this season are good for third amongst CIS players, and  he leads his team with six goals. His two goals against Victoria last Saturday helped lift his team to victory. 



Zach Verhoven (#16, F) – The playmaker has three goals and five assists this season, giving him a team leading eight points. His ability to set up his teammates will be crucial as UBC hunts for the top spot this weekend. 

Coach's Take 

Head coach Mike Mosher knows that, despite his team's success and skill level, they will still have to work hard for a win this weekend. 



"I am looking for the guys to come out fresh and energetic coming off our bye weekend. We know what is in front of us, but both our opponents are still battling for playoff spots so there will be desperation in their play," noted Mosher. 

"I think we have learned along the way, improved, and hopefully the boys have that hunger and desire to step it up this weekend and over the next few weeks."