VANCOUVER – The No. 4 ranked UBC Thunderbirds men's soccer team is set to continue post-season play this weekend when they host the University of Fraser Valley Cascades in Canada West final four action at UBC.
The Thunderbirds who finished atop the CW regular season standings with a 13-1-2 record will meet UFV who finished third in the Pacific Division standings with a 7-6-2 record for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff Friday, November 2 at Thunderbird Stadium.
The early game on Friday has Thompson Rivers University taking on Trinity Western University with a 4:00 p.m. kickoff also at Thunderbird Stadium. The final four tournament continues through the weekend with the bronze medal game on Saturday evening at Ken Woods field at 7:00 p.m. and the gold medal final on Sunday, November 4 at 2:00 p.m. back at Thunderbird Stadium.
Last Action
The T-Birds opened the playoffs with a 3-0 victory over the visiting MT. Royal Cougars in CW quarterfinal action last Saturday, forward Kristian Yli Hietanen scored the first two goals while midfielder
Sean Einarsson added the final tally in the convincing win.
The Cascades went through a more dramatic quarter final on the road in Saskatoon, going into extra time to edge the Saskatchewan Huskies 2-1 after a penalty shootout. UFV goalkeeper David Hicks was the story stopping three of four penalties he faced while captain Tammer Byrne scored the game winning penalty.
The T-Birds and Cascades last met three weeks ago in mid-October where it was UBC winning 2-0 on home field and before that the two squads opened the CW regular season against each other in late August with a hard fought 1-1 draw in Abbotsford.
By the Numbers
43 – The number of goals scored by the T-Birds in the regular season to lead Canada West in the category. The 'Birds look to keep their dynamic offence in rhythm in the post season and did so to open the playoffs with a 3-0 victory last weekend.
14 – Shots on goal the T-Birds have managed in two meetings with UFV this season which concluded with a 1-1 draw and a 2-0 victory.
Players to Watch
Kristian Yli-Hietanen (#17, F) – The fourth-year forward and T-Birds regular season goal scoring leader with 10 goals continued his impressive production to open post season play by adding two goals in last weekend's 3-0 victory over MT. Royal.
Zach Verhoven (#8, F) – The third-year forward was very active last weekend in registering five shots while also displaying his crafty playmaking skills in adding two assists on the opening two goals.
Coach's Take
"I liked the fact we were patient and stayed the course in our game last week," said UBC head coach
Mike Mosher. "While we would have liked to have generated more from the first half having had a lot of the possession, that is the way the game unfolds sometimes."
Mosher also previewed what he expects Friday night against UFV.
"UFV are another team that makes things difficult for us," continued Mosher. "They are well organized defensively and chances will be tough to come by so we best be ready to try and take advantage when those opportunities arise."
