VANCOUVER - It was a game of milestones at Thunderbird Stadium Sunday afternoon, as UBC took three hard earned points from the UNBC Timberwolves in a 3-1 victory during Canada West soccer action. All three T-Bird scorers netted their first career goals and the win was the 200th of UBC Head Coach Mike Mosher's illustrious, CIS championship laden career. The win was UBC's second in two days over their provincial rivals from Prince George. The T-Birds enjoyed a 4-0 victory over the Timberwolves Saturday, a game also played at UBC.
 
"It's been many years of hard work and learning through the experience of those early years," said Mosher when asked about the milestone victory. "But as I just told the group, us coaches aren't here for ourselves. We're here to help the players in their athletic and academic endeavors. That's our role."


 
The Timberwolves almost spoiled the party by opening the scoring in the 19th minute. Crafty midfielder Owen Stewart broke through the Thunderbirds back line and tucked the ball past UBC keeper Jason Roberts to give UNBC the early 1-0 advantage.
 
It was at this point T-Bird first-year winger Zach Verhoven began to take over the match. In the 26th minute, Verhoven found himself in space on the right wing. With lightning speed he drove towards the end line and blasted a low shot of the foot of Timberwolves goalie Mitch MacFarlane. The rebound bounced straight to UBC fifth-year fullback Tyler Mertens who slammed the ball into a half open net. The goal was the first in Mertens' UBC career.


 
"Honestly when it happened I was just thinking that we needed to get another one before half," said Mertens. "It kind of hit me after the game that I had put one in the back of the net."
 
Verhoven saved his best work for the second half. In the 60th minute he once gain found space on the right wing. His low, cutback cross found the boot of Liam McManaman who made no mistake in the hitting the score sheet for the first time in his UBC career.
 

#UBC scores making it 2-1 over #UNBC in the 2nd. Nice to see T-Birds in the stands showing support. #BirdsForBirds pic.twitter.com/YHvzp9ELh6

— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) September 4, 2016

 
Verhoven put the Timberwolves on ice in the 81st minute when his right footed strike found its way past MacFarlane and inside the far post, making the score 3-1 T-Birds. It also gave Verhoven his first career tally as a Thunderbird.
 
"It's a really good feeling because Mike owes me one now that I've gotten him his 200th win," laughed Verhoven post-game. "So you're welcome Mike."


 
Along his journey to 200 career CIS victories Mike Mosher has won four CIS national championships, five Canada West championships, three Canada West 'Coach of the Year' honors, and was named the CIS 'Coach of the Year' in 2013.
 
UBC continues its six-game home stand with games against the Trinity Western University Spartans (Friday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m.) and the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades (Saturday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m.). All games are available live on CanadaWest.TV.

- with files from Geordie Carragher (UNBC Media)