VANCOUVER – Returning to Thunderbird Stadium for four straight home games is perhaps just what the UBC Men's Soccer Team needed, kicking off with a pair of contests against the UBC Okanagan Heat on Friday and Saturday, October 8th and 9th.
The T-Birds (2-1-3) are coming off a mixed road weekend against the Fraser Valley Cascades that saw a gritty win picked up Friday night in Abbotsford, but was followed up by UBC's first loss of the season, 5-1 on Sunday afternoon.
"We gave up an early goal that certainly shook us, but we got what we deserved on that day," said UBC Head Coach Mike Mosher who's got Sunday's game distant in the rear view mirror. "But it's one game out of 12 and hopefully we learn our lesson from that. We fully control our destiny this weekend and the rest of the way. We're at the halfway point and it's really, what are we going to do from here."
The Heat (1-2-3) sit just three points back of both UBC and Victoria and are very much in the playoff conversation halfway through the regular season.
UBCO earned their first win of the campaign last weekend in Prince George when they split a two-game set with the Timberwolves.
Historically, the T-Birds have had great success against the Heat, especially at Thunderbird Stadium. But with both teams needing to pick up points this weekend, nothing will be taken for granted by either side.
"They're always well organized, (Heat Head Coach Dante Zanatta) does a very good job organizing his group," said Mosher. "They'll be tough to break down defensively. We've got a target on our back with each team we play and we've seen that every set of games and we need to rise to that challenge."
With a shortened season, results mean that much more each and every game. Adding to UBC's challenges has been a rash of injuries affecting some key pieces of the roster. But if the T-Birds are able to ride out the storm, it could certainly serve them well come the post-season.
"We don't use injuries as excuses. It hurts, but with injuries comes opportunity and we've always said we feel we have good depth. It's opportunities for guys to step forward and take the initiative, it's as simple as that."
Kickoff for both Friday and Saturday is set for 7:30 p.m. PT at Thunderbird Stadium. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
Both games will also be streamed live on Canada West TV.
