Prince George. - On a crisp Friday night in Prince George, the defending national champion UBC Thunderbirds notched markers in each half to earn a hard fought 2-1 decision over the host UNBC Timberwolves. 

Max Comsia and Blake Norman each tallied a goal and an assist for the visitors, while Isaac Tate continued his strong form for the Timberwolves, opening the scoring with his fourth goal of the campaign.

In goal, UBC's Jack Garner made three saves to preserve the win, while UNBC keeper Logan Pierce stood tall with eight stops in another composed performance between the posts.

The urgency was evident from the opening whistle on a chilly Friday night in Prince George. The undefeated UBC Thunderbirds showed composure and patience in the early exchanges, but UNBC matched their intensity stride for stride.

Pierce, who returned to the Timberwolves net after an injury absence, was called upon multiple times in the opening 20 minutes, coming up with saves off Henri Godbout, and Luke Norman to keep the game deadlocked.

In the 18th minute, Steve Simonson's side was rewarded for their positive play and territorial pressure. James Jordan showcased some slick footwork down the right flank to beat his defender before delivering a pinpoint ball across the goal to Isaac Tate. The third-year midfielder made no mistake, calmly slotting home his fourth of the campaign to give UNBC a 1-0 lead.

UBC found their response just over ten minutes later. In the 29th minute, Max Comsia latched onto a clever feed from Luke Norman on the right edge of the area and weaved his way into a shooting lane. His low effort beat a diving Pierce to level the score at 1-1.

Pierce, who returned to the Timberwolves net after an injury absence, was called upon multiple times in the opening 20 minutes, coming up with saves off Henri Godbout, and Luke Norman to keep the game deadlocked. Despite UBC holding a 6-1 advantage in shots on target at halftime, the teams went to the dressing room even at one apiece.

Mike Mosher's side came out flying in the second half, and once again it was the dangerous duo of Blake Norman and Max Comsia linking up to make the difference. Comsia slid a clever ball into the box, where Norman made no mistake, burying his fourth of the campaign to give UBC a 2-1 lead.

UNBC nearly found the equalizer in the dying minutes. Josh Jordan fired just wide in the 86th, and Isaac Tate's header in stoppage time had the Masich faithful holding their breath, but the Thunderbirds stood tall to secure their 14th win of the season.

With the result, the Timberwolves drop to 4-8-2 and will now be scoreboard-watching, hoping for a Trinity Western loss or draw at TRU to keep their postseason hopes alive.

The two sides meet again Sunday at 2:00 PM at Masich Place Stadium to close out the weekend set.