LANGLEY, B.C. – The Thunderbirds dropped a tough 2-1 decision to the Trinitiny Western Spartans at Chase Office Field on Friday night. It was TWU's first victory over UBC since 2009.

Jacob Low scored what would stand as the game-winning goal in the 49th minute, helping the Spartans snap a 17-match winless skid (0-11-6) against UBC. 

TWU's Joel Waterman opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a brilliant strike from atop the box, before UBC's Rylan Sangha equalized in the 33rd minute.

After Low put TWU ahead, Spartans goalie Sebastian Coltyn (Langley) did the rest to secure the win including a huge save late in the game on a scramble in the box. 

With the victory, TWU (7-4-4) clinched a playoff spot and with a win Saturday can ensure home field advantage for the opening round of the post-season. UBC, who had already locked up first place in the Pacific Division, dropped to 9-4-1.

Waterman got the party started for the home side when he walked in from the right untouched and whipped a clear-cut chance to the bottom left corner.

Leighton Johnson nearly doubled TWU's lead in the 31st minute, but his shot from 15 yards out thumped off the crossbar.

Two minutes later, Sangha put the T-Birds back on even terms. After Zach Verhoven struck the crossbar, the ball fell to the feet of Sangha and he tapped it in.

Less than four minutes into the second half, Low, who had come on as a substitution at the break, found the game-winner, taking a cross from Johnson and heading it past UBC goalie Chad Bush, who finished the night with five saves.

UBC will head down the road to Abbotsford for a match against the UFV Cascades on Saturday evening at 6pm.