VANCOUVER - The University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves capitalized on two first half opportunities and a strong defensive effort throughout to edge the UBC Thunderbirds 2-1 Friday evening at Thunderbird Stadium.
The T-Wolves are enjoying a good run of form in the middle of the Canada West campaign as they collected a fourth straight victory to improve to 6-4-1 and move while moving into third spot in the Pacific Division standings just behind the T-Birds who occupy second place with a 5-3 record.
The first few minutes of the match had some solid back forth play with the visitors impressing from the outset. UBC's
Sebastian Dzikowski had the initial chance in the game, as he was played into the Timberwolves half, and placed a hard strike on goal, but UNBC keeper Daniel Zadravec made the save three minutes in. The 'Birds had a great opportunity to go ahead again on 22 minutes, as a broken corner kick fell to BC fifth year forward
Victory Shumbusho, and his header was blocked on the goal line by UNBC.
Despite some key chances for the home team, it was the visitors that drew first blood on the night. Canada West leading goal scorer Michael Henman received a tidy ball to his feet from 25 yards out, placing a beautiful strike past UBC goalkeeper
Axel Thulin Lennselius, for the opening goal in the 37 minute mark, and his 16
th marker of the season.
It was the T-Wolves that doubled the lead five minutes later, with Henman being involved again. He broke into the UBC box and was fouled from behind, leading to a penalty kick and a golden chance for UNBC to double their lead and take a stranglehold on the match. It was fifth year defender Cody Gysbers who stepped up and placed a perfect penalty past Lennselius, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead just before half time.
UBC came out strong to start the second half, with Shumbusho again creating an excellent chance on a good cross into the box, with his header flashing just wide of Zadravec in the UNBC goal.
The Timberwolves almost led by three midway through the second half, as defender Loic Benquet let a volleyed strike fly from 35 yards out, barely missing the T-Birds goal.
The home side was not to be denied though, following chance after chance they pulled one back on a loose ball in the box, as Shumbusho placed a left footed strike into the top corner past Zadravec for his team leading fourth goal of the season, and halving the T-Wolves lead.
With ten minutes to go, substitute
Asvin Chauhan who was dangerous since coming on in the 68
th, just about tied it as his shot from outside the UNBC 18-yard box flew agonizingly wide.
The T-Birds created another chance in the dying moments through
Logan Chung, who caused issues for the Timberwolves all night. He received a pass just inside the UNBC 18-yard box, but his powerful strike was well saved by Zadravec to close out a clinical second half defensive performance for the visiting side.
UNBC head coach Steve Simonson had this to say about his team's gutsy road win. "They (UBC) have so many threats, and our theme this year was to be more defensive minded." Also going onto say, "We are disappointed to give one goal away but if it is only one goal against a team like that, we will take it."
When asked about Michael Henman and his conference leading 16 goals, Simonson was thrilled for his striker who opened the scoring on the night. "He has always been a threat, and he hasn't been able to find goals consistently prior to this year, but his confidence is high and he has been clinical lately."
This was the Timberwolves second ever victory against UBC and they'll go in search of a fifth straight win in Saturday's rematch at Thunderbird Stadium at 7:30 p.m. as the 'Birds aim for the weekend split. Tickets for UBC Students are free and can be purchased
here. Otherwise catch the action on Canada West TV.
