BEIJING, China –
Ryan Arthur's three-goal performance keyed a offensive outburst for the UBC Thunderbirds, as they booked their place in the semi-finals of the WEUFT World Cup Tuesday with a 5-1 victory over Renmin University of China.
Arthur scored two first half goals, including a beautiful far post finish on a breakaway in the 31st minute, to give UBC a 2-0 halftime lead over their Chinese counterparts.
Renmin was able to get one back early in the second half, when a low cross was headed past UBC keeper
Chad Bush, who looked very solid in his first start of the tournament.
But Arthur finished off his hat trick in the 56th minute, with a nice short shot into the top corner of the Renmin net, putting the game out of reach.
"The heat got to us but we were able to maintain our pressure and the goals just came from our team pressure," said Arthur.
Kyle Sohi and
Brian Im added insurance goals for the Thunderbirds making the final 5-1.
"It was a fantastic effort," said UBC Head Coach
Mike Mosher. "That was probably the best game this group has played together since the fall term. That wasa good team and we hammered them."
The win for UBC sets up a semi-final match with Oxford University on Friday at 1am PST.
