PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – The UBC Thunderbirds, ranked fifth in U SPORTS men's soccer, earned a come-from-behind 2-1 win over the host Northern BC Timberwolves Friday night in Prince George, B.C.
The home side got off to a fast start, when Joel Watson sprung Stu Rowlands less than two minutes into the match. The veteran forward got around UBC 'keeper
Jason Roberts and buried his fifth goal in just his sixth game, giving the Timberwolves a very early advantage.
"We just couldn't deal with the ball over the top," said UBC's
Daniel Kaiser. "We didn't expect how fast they would come out. We were caught a little flatfooted at first, and they came out firing. It has been a problem for our team, conceding goals early."
The T-Birds settled in, and were able to apply pressure to the T-Wolves backline, earning a number of free kicks and corners. In minute 14,
Ryan Arthur nearly converted a corner kick, but hit the post behind keeper Daniel Zadravec.
The two sides traded chances in the 36th minute, as UNBC's Owen Stewart found himself in prime scoring location, and looked to chip Roberts, but put it over the crossbar. Less than a minute later at the other end,
Victory Shumbusho had the chance to equalize, but Zadravec made a brilliant stop to maintain the home side's lead heading into the half.
In the second half, the play became increasingly physical, with a number of fouls going both ways. Off a corner kick in the 63rd minute, Shumbusho was able to get his foot on a corner kick and send it towards goal. Zadravec was able to turn it away, but it bounced off a defender and back towards the net. The first-year netminder again was able to make the save, but the linesman ruled it crossed the goal line.
Three minutes later, UNBC's Anthony Preston was charged with a yellow card, his second of the match, meaning the T-Wolves would be forced to play a man short for the remainder of the contest.
Just eight minutes later, UBC got the opportunity they were looking for. A ball was played into the box, where Demian Dron appeared to play the ball away before contact was made with a UBC attacked. The official ruled otherwise, awarding the visitors a penalty kick.
Veteran
Kerman Pannu stepped up to the spot and beat Zadravec top corner for his first goal of the campaign, making it 2-1 T-Birds.
The Timberwolves would battle to try to create opportunities, despite their shorthanded situation, and nearly found the equalizer in the 88th minute. Rowlands, with a defender on his back, was able to turn and fire, but missed the post by just inches.
"There are many positives. One, we can play with 10 men against the very best and still attack and press," said Timberwolf Jonah Smith. "Two, we can create chances even when we are defending low, and number three, our backline can deal with stress and defend in tough situations."
When the final whistle sounded, UBC's victory improved their record to 6-1-1, while the Timberwolves fell to 4-5-1. The two teams will clash again on Sunday in Prince George.
"It was a good battle tonight, with lots of challenges," said UBC's
Mackenzie Cole. "It had good spirit from both sides. I thought it was good. I expect a similar game on Sunday. It should be physical again, and we are ready to go."
"They just find a way to win. That is what separates the good from the great, and they're one of the great teams in this league," said Smith, postgame. "They came out with the result. We need to be more ruthless and find ways to win, like they do."
