VANCOUVER - Despite coming out strong and generating numerous chances among their 15 shots on target, the UBC Thunderbirds were held to a 0-0 draw against the stingy UNBC Timberwolves on Saturday night at Thunderbird Stadium.
 
After the tight 2-1 loss on Friday night, the home side came out flying and hungry with several chances coming at the at start of the game. Rookie 'Birds forward Asvin Chauhan created some space at the edge of the visitors 18-yard box, letting a solid shot fly that was well stopped by Daniel Zadravec in the UNBC goal in the opening minutes of the match.

?? MSOC | It's a great evening for soccer and we are about 20 minutes away from kickoff tonight as @ubcmsoc gets set to host @UNBCMSoccer at Thunderbird Stadium.#GoBirdsGo pic.twitter.com/cZUZa6LrH8

— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) October 2, 2022

 
10 minutes later, second year UBC forward Tristan Nkoghe headed a floated cross towards the Timberwolves net, but his off balanced header was well saved.  
 
Another pair of chances from Chauhan came later in the half, as the rookie again used his pace to carve his way into the UNBC area, but another one of his shots was stopped by the T-Wolves 'keeper. The best chance of the opening half came on a 20-yard volley stemming from a Thunderbirds corner, as Logan Chung's volleyed effort was well parried out of play by Zadravec.
 
The lone UNBC chance of the opening half came from Kensho Ando who made a quick foray into the 'Birds half, but he was quickly stifled by UBC defender Noah Hrdlicka who was excellent on the night for UBC.
 
UBC generated seven shots on goal and plenty of possession in the first half, but it remained scoreless, as the Timberwolves looked to stretch their winning streak to five games going into the second half.


 
UNBC started the second half strong as a couple of substitutes came on at half time to try and nab the opening goal of the game for the visiting side. One of those subs, Gregor Smith just about put his side ahead after a great rush by the T-Wolves. Canada West leading scorer Michael Henman played a great ball through for Smith, whose shot was initially saved by Axel Thulin Lennselius in the Thunderbirds goal. Despite the initial save, the ball got through and was on the goal line, where Hrdlicka cleared away for UBC. An agonizing chance for UNBC, who were put under the cosh defensively in the last 25 minutes of the game by UBC.
 
On 71 minutes, Chauhan was involved in the play again, as he had a couple of solid chances, using his pace to attack the UNBC area, but Zadravec kept out both chances. that were well saved again by Zadravec, a common theme on the night for the Thunderbirds.
 
Post-match, UBC Men's Soccer Head Coach Mike Mosher reflected on his team's performance. "In each of the games where we have had negative results, the effort level has been good and we have created chances." Going onto say, "we have a good group here and this was a difficult weekend, but we are committed to getting it right."
 
In the dying moments of the match, 'Birds second-year midfielder Nicholas Momotani found himself in the 18-yard box of the Timberwolves, and he was able to get a hard volley off, but again Zadravec was equal to the task.
 
Mosher went on to tip his cap to the UNBC defensive effort. "Give credit where it is due, UNBC came in here and defended well, they defended in numbers and the goal mouth, their keeper was excellent."
 
UBC now head on the road to face the University of Victoria Vikes on Thursday evening, while the Timberwolves return to Prince George to face the UBC Okanagan Heat.