The Matchup

UBC vs. UNBC - 1 PM - Saturday, September 3rd - Thunderbird Stadium

UBC vs. UNBC - 1 PM - Sunday, September 4th - Thunderbird Stadium

 
The UBC Thunderbirds open the home portion of their 2016 season against the UNBC Timberwolves with a weekend double bill at Thunderbird Stadium. Kick-offs go Saturday at 1 PM and Sunday at 1 PM. In 2015 the teams played a weekend double bill in Prince George, where UBC won both matches by identical 2-0 scores.
 

Last Action

 
UBC picked up four of a possible six points in BC's interior last weekend. They came from behind to take a 2-1 victory over Thompson Rivers and scored late against UBCO to salvage a 1-1 draw.


 
UNBC is coming off back-to-back losses against Trinity Western (2-1, 2-0).
 

By the Numbers

 
69 – the number of minutes UBC has been trailing on the scoreboard in their two Canada West league games so far in 2016. This comes after not trailing for a single minute throughout the 2015 season. With that said, UBC did manage to come back and gain points in both their matches proving they can score big goals when needed.
 

Game time! First game of the season vs @GoTRUWolfPack starts in half an hr! #GoBirdsGo #ubc pic.twitter.com/nNYns42Xzv

— UBC Men's Soccer (@ubcmsoc) August 27, 2016

 
30-6 – the advantage in corner kicks UBC holds so far this season. If they can start heading some of those chances into the back of the net, they will be off to the races offensively.
 

Player To Watch

 
Tyler Mertens – UBC – (#2, D) – the fifth year fullback is a stabilizing force on the very young T-Birds team. He has played 440 of a possible 480 minutes for the 'Blue and Gold' in exhibition and regular season play.


 

Coach's Take

 
"There are no easy games in Canada West and that will be the case when UNBC come in this weekend.  Every team knows that the dogfight for playoff spots in our division has already begun, especially given some of the results in week one," says UBC Head Coach Mike Mosher. "We were not firing on all cylinders throughout the entirety of the two first games and that will be the case as we continue to find or way.  Our goal is to get better each and every week. That said, we were probably unfortunate to not have taken all six points over the weekend, but that is this game, if you don't take your chances or you make crucial mistakes that cost you goals, you put yourselves in tough to get the results you want."