VANCOUVER – Sturdy defence from both clubs resulted in a scoreless draw between the UBC Thunderbirds men's soccer team (4-0-2) and division rivals the Fraser Valley Cascades (2-1-1) on Saturday night at Thunderbird Stadium. UBC's lone draw last season came at the hands of UFV, who proved to be a formidable challenge once again.
 
After scoring an impressive 10 goals in their last three outings, UBC was held off the scoreboard for the first time this season. The loss drops UBC to second place in the Canada West Pacific Division standings, one point behind Trinity Western (5-1-0). 


 
UBC head coach Mike Mosher commended the Cascades on a hard-fought game, though he felt his club was more than capable of taking the lead. 
 
"[They're] a good opponent. They typically are a difficult team to play against [and] keep things relatively tight in the back," said Mosher. 
 
"That said, we created a couple chances [and] just couldn't get on the end one of those crosses."


 
A quiet first half saw both teams register only a single shot on net. UFV goalkeeper Alex Skrzeta scooped up the ball in the 21st-minute amidst a flurry of action in front of his net, denying Kerman Pannu an early goal. 
 
Skrzeta denied another solid Thunderbirds opportunity in the 58th minute with a sprawling save off a low shot from Manpal Brar. Pannu and Brar were the only two T-Birds to register shots on goal. 
 

Hard fought battle between @ubcmsoc and @UFVCascades ends scoreless. #UBC remains unbeaten in 2016 season (4-0-3). pic.twitter.com/8a0vLVSeH7

— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) September 11, 2016

 
Dogged defence from both squads foiled every scoring opportunity at either end of the field. The 'Birds best chance came late in the game when Zach Verhoven sent a cross through the box, narrowly missing a pair of UBC forwards. UFV forward Daniel Davidson's header was tipped over the crossbar by Thunderbirds goalkeeper Jason Roberts in a last-ditch effort in added time. 


 
Roberts commended his team on their strong defensive efforts during Saturday night's matchup.
 
"They put in a shift every time [and] deserved it, but I think we could have put a couple away there and come up with a win." 
 
UBC will host another pair of home games next weekend when they take on the Alberta Golden Bears (5-0-0) and Saskatchewan Huskies (0-2-1). UFV will return home to host MacEwan (0-2-1) and Mt. Royal (4-1) next weekend.