ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – In the regular-season finale for both teams, the UBC Thunderbirds defeated the Fraser Valley Cascades 3-1 in Canada West men's soccer action on a rainy Saturday evening at MRC Sports Complex.

The visiting T-Birds got goals from Mihai Hodut, Brian Im and Sam Fletcher, while the Cascades' marker came off the boot of Gurmaan Jhaj on a second-half penalty kick.

UBC (10-4-1) advances to the playoffs as the No. 1 seed out of Canada West's Pacific Division, while the Cascades (4-9-3, seventh in the Pacific) finish outside the post-season picture for the first time since 2012.

"We had a disappointing result yesterday (falling 2-1 on the road to Trinity Western), so we wanted to make sure we finished on a positive note with a win going into the playoffs," Thunderbirds head coach Mike Mosher said. "I'm happy with the performance. We had some guys who maybe hadn't played as much during the season who got some opportunities to get in. And two guys got their first U SPORTS goals, which was nice, in Brian and Sam."



While the result didn't go UFV's way, the performance – particularly in the second half – was pleasing to head coach Tom Lowndes. The Cascades had the lion's share of possession after the break, but the T-Birds were able to put the game away with a pair of goals against the run of play.

"We did a fantastic job of limiting their chances, and I don't think we deserved to concede three goals, really," Lowndes said. "But they're a clinical team, and good teams take their chances. That's been something we've been lacking this season. 

"I'm really proud of the effort from the boys. If that's the starting point, with 95 per cent of the squad returning next year, I'm really excited for the future of this team."

The T-Birds opened the scoring in the 22nd minute – Patrick Metcalfe sent a long ball across to Hodut on the left wing, and he cut to the middle before unleashing a perfectly placed low shot that went in off the far post, just out of the reach of Cascades keeper Alex Skrzeta.

The hosts were an inspired group out of halftime – Atle Koellmel had a good look from the right wing in the 60th minute, but sent his shot over the bar.

Just two minutes later, UBC struck on the counterattack. Kristian Yli-Hietanen fed the ball over to Im, and he lunged to fire a shot into the top corner.

The Cascades continued to press, and were rewarded with a penalty kick after a T-Birds defender handled the ball in the box. Jhaj stepped to the spot and blasted a rising shot inside the post to the right of UBC keeper Mitchell Whittla, who had come on at halftime in relief of starter Jason Roberts.

Fletcher rounded out the scoring in the 83rd, firing a low free kick that found its way inside the far post.