VANCOUVER - After an extended time away, the UBC Thunderbirds men's soccer team returned home to a boisterous crowd on Friday night, emerging with a 1-0 win, in the first of a back-to-back contests against the UNBC Timberwolves.

It was a back and forth first half hour, as both teams traded possession trying to find the opening goal.  The T-Birds took over with 10 minutes to go in the first half, as Mitch Piraux was fouled inside the UNBC half, to the right of the Timberwolves net. Off the ensuing free kick, Tristan Nkoghe headed home a perfect delivery to collect his first goal in a 'Birds shirt following a transfer from the University of New Brunswick.

? MSOC | T-Birds Goal! Tristan Nkoghe heads in Nick Fussell's free kick for his 1st as a Thunderbird and @ubcmsoc leads the Timberwolves 1-0 late in the half! pic.twitter.com/eS9aRd8oeC

— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) September 25, 2021

"It was not our best game," admitted UBC head coach Mike Mosher. "Giving away possession to often and too easy, not connecting passes, but tomorrow is another game. We are happy with the clean sheet and the way guys like Noah Hrdlicka came in and won some headers and helped us get the clean sheet."



With the home side leading at the half, the second 45 promised to be an entertaining finish. Coming out of the break, the Timberwolves enjoyed some good link up play inside the T-Birds half but were unable to find the net in the second frame.

UNBC had a couple more notable chances in the second half, as Michael Henman had a dangerous free kick parried by Thunderbirds rookie keeper Bennett McKay. With five minutes remaining, Dominic Parris was in on the UBC goal but hit the side of the net with his shot, the best chance for the visitors in this one.


 
UBC almost collected their second of the game in the late stages, as Sebastian Dzikowski pulled a shot wide to the left of the Timberwolves net off a great individual play down the right flank.

"It was great to be back playing," added Mosher referencing the great atmosphere in their return to Thunderbird Stadium. "It was wonderful to have such a great crowd for our game and the women's game."

It's another double header on Saturday at Thunderbird Stadium beginning with the women's game kicking off at 3:30 p.m., followed by the special celebration of life ceremony for Dick Mosher, the longtime legendary men's and women's soccer coach at 5:30PM. At 7:30 p.m., the T-Birds and T-Wolves men's team are back on the pitch.