The UBC Thunderbirds men's soccer team were 4-0 winners over the University of Victoria Vikes in the second of a home and home Legends Cup series contest between the rivals on a crisp Saturday afternoon at Thunderbird stadium. The win clinched first place in the Canada West Pacific Division standings for the 'Birds with two games remaining.
It was a swift start from the home team, as an early offensive half attack by the Thunderbirds led to a throw in down the touchline. Defender
Riley Pang stepped into take it and delivered a perfect ball into the 6-yard box that fellow defender
Jackson Farmer delicately tapped home from close range to give UBC the 1-0 lead.
The 'Birds kept momentum carrying most of the play and earned their second goal of the game 25 minutes later. A broken corner found
Jordan Haynes who played a perfect ball back post that Pang finished from close range to make it 2-0 for the hosts.
After a slow start to the second half UBC stepped up in the 72
nd minute, as sub
Kerman Pannu put a great ball in behind the visiting defence that fell to
Dallin Akune, who in turn played a ball across the 18-yard box to
Mihai Hodut. Hodut's shot was initially saved by Vikes goalkeeper Jasdeep Lally, but fell a second time to
Thomas Gardner who converted in tight to make it 3-0. Pannu played provider once again in the 76
th minute, as he burst through the Victoria defence and delivered a cross to
Logan Chung who put it home for his second of his rookie season and closed out the scoring at 4-0.
In the 92
nd minute, UVic was inches away from scoring as Xavier Araujo sent a cross through the goal mouth from five yards out but Evan Wills just failed to connect with a sliding attempt.
"A fairly complete 90, and that's what we wanted," said UBC head coach
Mike Mosher post game. "I think in the last four games we have played seven out of eight very good halves, and that is what we are stressing, consistent, full 90 performances".
The Thunderbirds wrap up their regular season next weekend as they visit the Spartans on Friday night at 7:15 p.m. at Chase Office Fields in Langley, before returning home on Sunday afternoon at 2PM in their last home game before playoffs. The Vikes are on the road again in Abbotsford to take on the UFV Cascades on Friday at 8 p.m.
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