KAMLOOPS, B.C. (U SPORTS) – The UBC Thunderbirds finished fourth Sunday at the 2017 U SPORTS Respect Group Men's Soccer Championship in Kamloops, B.C.

Looking for a third come-from-behind victory in four matches, the T-Birds fell short against the host Thompson Rivers WolfPack in penalty kicks in the bronze medal game. 

In front of a sell-out crowd of 1,000 at Hillside Stadium, the two sides finished regulation time tied 2-2 before the home side outscored UBC 3-0 in kicks. TRU's Popadynetz, Thomas Lantmeeters and James Fraser scored while goalkeeper Connor stopped two UBC shooters and the other one fired wide.

The WolfPack opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when three-time Canada West all-star Ryan Glanville got a head-man pass from Justin Donaldson and cut towards the centre of the field. The 33-year-old U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian went from right to left foot and chipped it under the diving UBC goalkeeper Chad Bush. It was the second goal the tournament for Glanville, a former T-Bird playing his final U SPORTS match.
 
TRU carried the 1-0 lead into the half.
 


The Thunderbirds infused some new faces in the second half giving the team some life and pressuring the WolfPack back end. TRU didn't bend though, and in the 60th minute, Glanville had another glorious chance as he evaded a defender and went in close on Bush, but the ball bounced the opposite direction.
 
In the 63rd minute, Glanville found Canada West Player of the Year Mitchell Popadynetz, who got a piece of the ball, bouncing it past Bush and into the net for a 2-0 lead.
 


Having come back several times this season, including from a 2-0 deficit in the Canada West championship, and a 1-0 scoreline against New Brunswick in the U SPORTS quarter-final, the Thunderbirds cut the margin in half in the 68th minute. Zach Verhoven - UBC's player of the match for the second time in three games - was hauled down by WolfPack rookie Anatoli Leveille in the box. A penalty kick was awarded and Kyle Sohi beat TRU 'keeper Allan Connor low left side.
 
In the 86th minute, UBC got a corner kick and Ryan Arthur converted it to tie up the match at 2-2. That set the stage for a dramatic penalty kick contest to decide the medal. 

The Thunderbirds' fourth-place performance is one spot higher than their placing at last year's U SPORTS Men's Soccer Championship. Everyone on this year's roster has at least another year of eligibility remaining.