CALGARY – One streak ended, another continues as the UBC Thunderbirds (5-0-4) were finally able to capitalize on their numerous scoring chances in a 2-0 victory over the Mount Royal Cougars (6-2-1).  After UBC not scoring for more than 420 minutes, dating back to September 9th against Trinity Western, Kerman Pannu tallied twice within five minutes in the second half. 'Birds goalkeeper Jason Roberts ran his shutout streak to five games and has now allowed only one goal in his seven games played in 2016.
 
"Coming off three nil-nil games in a row, I think there were a lot of positives to take from those games and one of them was to persevere," said UBC Head Coach Mike Mosher. "There were lots of chances today. It was 2-0 but we could have had more."
 
The first half was a defensive battle with both teams refusing the other to generate any type of offence. Kamil Zielinkski was a stalwart in goal for the Cougars, preventing nine different shots from entering his net. Mount Royal was only able to muster one shot in the half.

#UBC GK Jason Roberts extends shutout streak to 5 games. @KermanPannu scores twice in 2-0 victory over @MRUCougars. 'Birds 5-0-4 in 2016. pic.twitter.com/4r3mryLhtS

— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) September 24, 2016

 
The UBC Thunderbirds had a golden opportunity to open the scoring at the start of the 2nd half. UBC's Tyler Mertens beat Zielinkski on partial breakaway, however Mount Royal's Amrinder Virk kicked the sure goal away on the goal line. 
 
UBC would continue the pressure however, scoring only four minutes later. Pannu ripped home a rebound from the top of the box to take the 1-0 lead. 
 
Pannu would net his second in the 55th minute by dribbling to the top left of Cougars box and smashed one over Zielinski to make it 2-0 Thunderbirds. 
 
"I think Kerman was probably the best player on the field today," said Mosher. "He got the two goals and was generating opportunities for us, but also he was excellent defensively. He was winning loose balls and allowing us to launch attacks from there."
 
Unlike most of his previous shutouts in 2016, Roberts had to work for his clean sheet in the game. The Cougars mounted a decent second half attack, forcing the UBC 'keeper to make three of his four saves overall.
 
"One of the good things with Jason is he's really good with his feet and that allows us to switch play and keep the ball," added Mosher "He's earned every shutout."
 
This is the first loss since August 25th for Mount Royal, dropping their record to 6-2-1. They have never beaten UBC at men's soccer in school history.
 
UBC will head down Highway 2 for a 1:30 PM (PT) date with the Lethbridge Pronghorns on Sunday afternoon.

- with files from Jordan Magnuson (Mount Royal Athletics)