The Matchup
The top two nationally ranked men's soccer programs meet on Sunday, September 24th for the only time this season when the UBC Thunderbirds (5-0-1) visit the Alberta Golden Bears (5-0-1) at Edmonton's Foote Field at 1:00 p.m. PT.
It's a big test for both squads, the only two undefeated teams in the Canada West with the defending conference and national champion Bears enjoying a solid start to the season.
The game marks the final out-of-division contest for the T-Birds while also kicking off four straight road matches over the next three weeks.
The last time these two met was in last year's Canada West final where the Golden Bears defeated UBC on penalty kicks. UBC hasn't played a regular season game in Edmonton since October 2012, the same year the 'Birds beat the Bears 2-1 in the Canada West final en route to a national championship banner.
Last Action
Chad Bush backstopped the T-Birds to a pair of shutout home victories last weekend, 1-0 over the Calgary Dinos and 5-0 over MacEwan. It was a dominant weekend for the 'Birds who allowed just a single shot on goal while scoring a combined six goals for the first time since the second week of play last season.
The Golden Bears earned a pair of road victories last weekend, 1-0 against Fraser Valley on Friday and 3-1 over UNBC on Sunday. Alberta hosts TWU on Saturday before taking on the 'Birds the following afternoon.
By the Numbers
6 – The number of Canada West championships won between UBC (4) and Alberta (2) over the last seven years. Alberta is also the defending national champion while the T-Birds have two national titles in the same time span.
4 – UBC leads the Canada West with four shutouts through their first six games of the season, one better than Alberta. The 'Birds haven't allowed a goal against in over 240 minutes.
Players to Watch
Victory Shumbusho (#16, F) – The first-year forward is coming off a remarkable four goal weekend that saw him earn the Canada West's first star male athlete of the week. Shumbusho scored UBC's only goal in last Friday's 1-0 win over Calgary before scoring the hat trick the following night against MacEwan.
Chad Bush (#1, GK) – Posting back-to-back shutouts last weekend, the third-year goalkeeper leads the Canada West in clean sheets with four, wins with five, and sits tied with Alberta's Connor James for the best goals against average of 0.40.
Coach's Take
As the Canada West soccer season approaches the midway point, UBC head coach
Mike Mosher sees this weekend's clash with Alberta as a good litmus test for his squad.
"These are fun games, we look forward to testing ourselves against a good team," said the veteran coach."They won the Canada West, they won the national championship last year and they return a lot of those players so they'll have a very good side. They play quality soccer and they like to go forward and attack and certainly have the ability to score goals as well so hopefully it'll be a good advertisement for U SPORTS soccer."
The 'Birds won't be back on home turf until October 7th which Mosher says presents a challenge but also some potential for growth.
"I look at the road games as a bit of a challenge but also as an opportunity for the guys to come together a little bit more," said Mosher. "You spend that time away, you spend a lot of time together and for a team with a lot of younger, new players, that can be a good opportunity for the boys to bond."
