VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds men's soccer team looks to extend their 10-game unbeaten streak to start the season as they get set for a unique home and home Legend Cup rivalry series against the University of Victoria Vikes this weekend. The Pacific divisions first place T-Birds will host the fifth place Vikes for an early kickoff to the weekend on Thursday, October 4 at 5:15 p.m. at Thunderbird Stadium. The teams will then enjoy a day between games before heading across the water for a return engagement Saturday, October 6 and a 2 p.m. start at Centennial Stadium in Victoria.
After collecting four of a possible six points last weekend, UBC maintained its third-place ranking in the nation for a second consecutive week as part of the U SPORTS Top 10 list.
Last Action
It was a tale of two completely different outcomes against the same opponent for the T-Birds last weekend in improving to (8-0-2) on the season. The 'Birds found themselves in a tight Friday night contest where they needed to score late to earn a 1-1 tie against visiting UNBC before the hosts broke out for a dominant 7-0 victory over the same Timberwolves just two days later.
The Vikes (3-4-3) should be fairly well rested having played just one game last Thursday in what otherwise was supposed to be a bye week, UVic dropped a close 2-1 decision against UNBC before having the weekend off. On the previous weekend, it was a split on home field for the Vikes, falling 2-1 to Calgary on Friday, September 21 before bouncing back Saturday afternoon with an impressive 5-0 victory over Lethbridge at Centennial Stadium. UBC will hope to contain UVic sharpshooters Matteo Ventura and Ian Whibley, Ventura leads the team in scoring with seven goals and eight points while Whibley has added five goals and two assists for seven points.
Players to watch
Kristian Yli-Hietanen (#17, F) – The fourth-year forward put his stamp on last Sunday's lopsided 7-0 victory over UNBC, showing excellent execution in scoring four goals on five shots. The North Vancouver product is tied for seventh spot in Canada West goal scoring with five markers on the campaign and sits in a tie for fifth place amongst T-Birds scorers with five points.
Victory Shumbusho (#7, F) – The second-year forward made just his second and third appearances of the season last weekend following a prolonged absence due to a nagging groin injury and made his presence felt. Shumbusho provided some late magic after coming on as a second half sub last Friday scoring his first goal of the season in the 81st minute to salvage a 1-1 draw against UNBC.
Coach's Take
"It was the best we have started a game this year on Sunday," said UBC head coach
Mike Mosher in comparing his teams dominant Sunday afternoon outing as compared to the closer contest on Friday. "We came out really looking to get after the opponent that day. It is the kind of start I have been asking and looking for from the group all season. It was just too bad it took us dropping some points on the Friday to get this type of reaction. Hopefully that can be a learning point for the group and we can lift and continue from that."
Mosher went on to say he expects a couple of really tough tests from a hungry Vikes squad.
"In UVic we see another team that will be desperate to get points and results as they are in a fight for a playoff spot," added Mosher. "Often when a team plays with desperation and desire you see their best. I think we saw some of that in the first game last week versus UNBC so we need to be prepared to match urgency and work ethic in every opponent."
