KELOWNA, B.C. – The UBC Thunderbirds capitalized on an own goal from the UBC Okanagan Heat during a goalmouth scramble in the 86th minute to edge the hosts 2-1 at Nonis Sports Field, Friday night in Kelowna. With the win the T-Birds improved to 3-0 on the young Canada West season while the loss see's the Heat sit at 1-2-0 on the campaign.

The T-Birds managed 18 shots at goal with 11 reaching the target and that's where Heat goalkeeper Ronan Woodroffe's heroics nearly was the difference as he topped his previous career-high of eight saves, this time stopping nine on the night including seven in the second half alone. At the other end of the pitch UBC needed just the one save from Swedish goalkeeper, Axel Thulin Lennselius who made his first start of the season.



Third-year UBC forward and the reigning Canada West Player of the Week, Sebastian Dzikowski continued his prolific start to the season with his conference leading fifth goal in three games to open the scoring in minute 18. Meanwhile, just ahead of halftime UBCO responded with second-year forward Matteo Bigattini of Kelowna, B.C. tallying his first of the season in the 43rd minute.

With the score deadlocked at 1-1 in the late stages it was UBCO backstop Woodroffe making yet another impressive save only to see the rebound spin into a Heat defender and back into their goal giving the visitors a 2-1 advantage off a fortunate bounce to claim to all three points.

UP NEXT

The T-Birds continue their road weekend with a meeting against the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack Saturday evening with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff in Kamloops while the Heat are back in action Saturday afternoon hosting the Victoria Vikes at 5:30 p.m. at Nonis Sports Field.