VANCOUVER - The UNBC Timberwolves scored three unanswered goals in a frantic second half and evened the score at 3-3 in the late stages to earn a point against the UBC Thunderbirds in the second of back-to-back weekend games on Saturday night.
The game could not have started any better for the 'Birds, as six minutes in
Sebastian Dzikowski had back-to-back shots initially stopped, but his third effort bested UNBC keeper Daniel Zadravec for the early 1-0 UBC advantage. The home side would add to their lead 15 minutes later, as
Bradley Richardson finished off a tidy team goa and his first marker as a T-Bird.
Nick Fussell would give the 'Birds what would seem like a comfortable 3- goal lead in the 28
th minute, as he deposited a Richardson deflected strike for his first of the season.
The T-Wolves had some close chances to end the first half, as Kensho Ando let one go from distance that barely sailed over the UBC goal, in what would be a sign of unrelenting pressure to come from UNBC.
The visitors came out firing in the second half, collecting some early possession and a couple close chances. After the T-Birds had a ball cleared off the line following a corner momentum was swinging more and more to UNBC's favour.
In the 84
th minute Owen Stewart found some space in the Thunderbirds 18-yard box and struck a nice ball into the top corner in what would be the first of three straight markers for the visitors.
Stewart would then deposit a ball in tight to make it a one goal game with just minutes to play in extra time. Then with UBC defending as a unit, a ball found the feet of UNBC rookie Connor Lewis who placed a perfect volley into the top corner past 'Birds keeper
Bennett McKay to equalize.
Despite some late substitutions by both teams, and end to end action, the game finished with both teams sharing the points.
"I am happy with the boys for the whole weekend," said UNBC head coach Steve Simonson. "I thought we deserved something from yesterday's game. Full credit to both teams who are depleted with injuries and it's been hard coming back from a long break, but our team answered the call when I challenged them at half time."
UBC are on the road next Friday and Sunday against the UFV Cascades in Abbotsford, all games can be watched on Canada West TV presented by Co-Op.
Following the contest in the stands at Thunderbird Stadium UBC held a well-attended Celebration of Life Ceremony for legendary long-time head coach of both the men's and women's varsity soccer teams Dick Mosher.
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Mosher, one of the most accomplished and influential figures throughout the decorated history of UBC varsity athletics influenced a generation of soccer talent on the pitch and future leaders in the classroom as a Professor of Kinesiology. The program included family, colleagues, and former players sharing stories of Mosher's ability to connect with and inspire student-athletes to reach their potential.
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