VANCOUVER – It's a matchup between two streaking Pacific division teams at UBC's Point Grey campus this weekend as the first place Thunderbirds host the second place Timberwolves for back to back contests. The first place T-Birds will be looking to extend their seven-game winning streak while the T-Wolves, just behind the hosts in second-spot, boast three-straight victories and will attempt to prolong their recent form beginning Friday, September 28 with a 6:30 p.m. kickoff. The teams will meet again on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. with both encounters taking place at Thunderbird Stadium.
After collecting the full six points for a third straight weekend UBC maintained its third-place ranking across the country as part of the U SPORTS top ten list.
Last Action
The T-Birds earned their sixth and seventh consecutive victories last weekend to improve to (7-0-1) thanks to a 1-0 defeat of the MT. Royal Cougars last Friday before the 'Birds handled the MacEwan Griffins on Sunday by a 3-1 margin.
The Timberwolves are hoping to build on back to back home wins last weekend that saw them edge Lethbridge and Calgary by the same 1-0 score lines. UNBC goalkeeper Rob Goodey was paramount in both victories as the busy backstop made 12 saves while earning consecutive shutouts to earn the Canada West first star of the week honors. (Ahead of visiting UBC, UNBC will travel to Victoria for a re-scheduled game against the Vikes on Thursday, September 27 with a 5:00 p.m. kickoff at Centennial Stadium.)
Players to watch
Thomas Gardner (#26, M) – The first-year midfielder is displaying incredible accuracy and execution in scoring on free kick opportunities in his last four straight contests. Gardner is second in team scoring with four goals and one assist this season largely thanks to his knuckleball free kicks from distance have been causing opposing goalies fits.
Mackenzie Cole (#11, M) – The third-year midfielder was in the starting 11 for the second time this season and scored his first goal of the campaign to even things up at 1-1 against MacEwan ahead of halftime last Saturday.
Coach's Take
"I Thought we had some good moments last weekend, but also times of inconsistency," said UBC head Coach
Mike Mosher in summing up last weekend's six-point effort. "We had two pretty thorough and complete 90 minute performances the previous weekend on the prairies and I'm hopeful we can deliver those types of performances consistently."
Mosher expects a couple of stiff contests against the visiting Timberwolves this weekend.
"It is a battle of playoff spots behind us and we need to be prepared to face desperate teams," added Mosher. "Coach Steve Simonson has done a good job the past few years with the UNBC program as they improve each year and you see it again in their results to date. I say it all the time, there are no easy games in this conference, you don't show up to play and you will drop points."
