VANCOUVER – The newly appointed No. 1 ranked UBC Thunderbirds men's soccer team looks to extend their 12-game unbeaten streak to start the season as they get set for a couple of tough test this weekend against the University of Fraser Valley and Trinity Western University.
The Pacific divisions first place T-Birds will take on teams directly below them in the standings when they host the second place Cascades on Friday, October 12 at Ken Woods field with a 6:30 p.m. kickoff. The 'Birds then hit the highway to Langley where they'll face the third place Spartans the next evening for a 7:15 start.
After earning a third straight win to close out last weekend's action and remaining undefeated, UBC vaulted from third place to first place in the nations rankings as part of the U SPORTS Top 10 list.
Last Action
The T-Birds earned back to back Legends Cup rivalry series wins against UVic last week in improving to (10-0-2) on the season. UBC enjoyed a 5-0 result to open the home and home series on Thursday night at Thunderbird Stadium before crossing the water to edge the Vikes 3-2 in a closer contest last Saturday in Victoria.
After rattling off three straight wins UFV (6-4-1) suffered back to back narrow losses last weekend of 2-1 and 3-2 against TWU. In the team's only other meeting of the season UFV and UBC played to a hard fought 1-1 draw to open the Can West campaign on August 31.
Meanwhile the Spartans have picked up four consecutive victories following the aforementioned wins against the Cascades. UBC managed a 3-0 victory over TWU in their other meeting this season in early September.
Players to watch
Kristian Yli-Hietanen (#17, F) – The Fourth-year forward whose been finding the back of the net with regularity was recognized as the Canada West men's first star of the week after scoring three more goals last weekend including both game winners against the Vikes. The product of North Vancouver B.C. product has now scored seven goals in his last three games and currently shares top spot alongside fellow striker
Caleb Clarke on UBC's goal scoring list, each with 8 markers.
Zach Verhoven (#8, M) – The Third-year forward continued his play making ways last weekend in earning two more impressive assists in just 36 minutes of action during Friday's 5-0 win over Victoria while also helping control the pace in his 45 minutes as a second half substitute in Saturday's 3-2 win in Victoria. Verhoven now leads the T-Birds with four assists and his six total points has him tied for fourth overall on the squad.
Coach's Take
"I think we are improving each week and we are certainly creating a number of goal scoring chances which is always positive," said UBC head coach
Mike Mosher. "As I said from the start, we have the weapons and key attacking pieces, it is a matter of finding how those pieces fit together and then them all getting familiar with each other. I think we still have room to keep growing as we head into this final stretch drive."
Mosher went on to say he expects some intense matches against two top Pacific Division rivals.
"I expect two very difficult games this weekend from UFV and TWU," added Mosher. UFV always play us tough and get up for these games and they will be desperate after their first tough weekend of the season in losing twice to TWU. The Spartans have a good team and I expect them to be right there in the hunt when it comes time to decide the other team at nationals. We were very good against them the first time we saw them and scored some top goals on that day, going out to their pitch always presents some challenges."
