VANCOUVER – 693 days after the UBC Men's Soccer team last played a Canada West game at Thunderbird Stadium, when they secured their third consecutive conference title, the squad is back on their home pitch as they welcome the UNBC Timberwolves for a weekend double header kicking off Friday, September 24th at 7:30 p.m.
After opening up the shortened 2021 conference season with a pair of 1-1 draws against the Thompson Rivers WolfPack in Kamloops two weeks ago, UBC is eager to get in the win column as they continue their quest for a record 21st Canada West banner.
"Everybody's happy to be back on the field and having games period, but it will be nice to be back at our home ground at Thunderbird Stadium with support of friends and family to cheer the boys on," said UBC Head Coach
Mike Mosher.
Starting the season with the two draws at TRU was not necessarily indicative of how well UBC played that opening weekend. Going forward, starting with the home opener, the focus is on remaining defensively strong while executing better at the other end of the field.
"We were relatively happy with how we played over the course of the two games, but just thought we could have got more from relatively decent play overall," said Mosher. "If we can continue to be stingy defensively, we didn't feel we gave up a lot of quality scoring opportunities. So, we want to continue with that as well and just make sure we take care of business in both penalty areas."
The Timberwolves are also searching for their first win of the season after a 0-2-2 start including a loss and a draw last weekend at home to Trinity Western.
UBC's home opening weekend will be emotional on a number of levels. Between the women's and men's games on Saturday, a special Celebration of Life will take place to honour the incredible legacy of former men's and women's soccer coach as well as UBC Kinesiology Professor, Dick Mosher, who passed away in April.
Beginning at 5:30 p.m., a short program will take place in the Thunderbird Stadium stands to honour Dick's life and accomplishments.
"It's been tough with COVID being unable to have gatherings and so forth," said Mike Mosher who took over the men's soccer head coaching reins from his father back in 1996. "That's why as a family we delayed things and it'll be great for many people and many of the lives that he touched over his very long tenure at UBC. It'll be great for soccer alumni and the UBC community, both athletics and academic, and just the soccer community in general to be able to celebrate his life."
All are welcome to attend Saturday's Celebration of Life, after which the men's team will close out the weekend doubleheader with the Timberwolves.
Kickoff for Friday night's home opener is set for 7:30 p.m. PT at Thunderbird Stadium.
Admission to both games is free, but seats must be reserved through the new online Thunderbirds ticket page.
Both games will also be streamed live on Canada West TV.
