VICTORIA, B.C. – The top-ranked UBC Thunderbirds (12-0-2) secured their fifth straight win after earning a 2-1 victory over the eighth-ranked University of Victoria Vikes (5-4-2) at Centennial Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Henri Godbout stayed hot, firing one home in the first half for his third point of the weekend, while
Theo Afework's tally in the 58th minute proved to be the difference-maker, marking the second-year forward's first goal of the season.
The 'Birds broke the scoring stalemate just as the 20-minute mark passed. After a long through ball sent play towards the corner flag, the Vikes tried to clear the danger. However, UBC managed to regain possession and worked the ball down low to
Max Comsia, who dished it off to Godbout within the six-yard box. From there, the third-year forward made no mistake and tapped home the game's opening goal.
Shortly after, in the 29th minute, the Vikes looked to respond. After receiving a pass in the attacking third, Felipe Morales Moya methodically dribbled his way into the box and let off a shot that was met by a sprawling
Jack Garner for a brilliant save. Yet, the rebound landed at the foot of Jack Napier-Ganley in front, who just needed a tap-in of his own to even the score.
Both sides exchanged quality chances throughout the remainder of the half, but neither could break through to take the lead before the break.
The T-Birds went right to work to start the second stanza and were rewarded in the 57th minute. After a clear attempt sent the ball down towards the UBC goal, the 'Birds began working their way back up on offence before
Eric Lajeunesse sprung
Nicolas Nadeau on the left wing. The second-year midfielder dribbled up the left side of the box before sending a pass into the six-yard area, where Afework finished with yet another one-time tap-in to restore UBC's lead.
The Vikes pushed for another equalizer as the game wore on and they nearly found one in the 85th minute. Following a corner, the 'Birds had difficulty clearing their end and a turnover led to Victoria's Aiden Grew picking up the ball from just outside the box. The fourth-year defender proceeded to rifle a long-range strike, but
Roko Vukic, who entered the game in relief at halftime for UBC, dove across for the save to preserve the lead.
As the game approached its end, the 'Birds made defensive substitutions to keep the Vikes' offence at bay, which proved necessary as the home side continued to press until the final whistle. Victoria had another chance in stoppage time when a corner sent the ball pinballing around the box, but the final header struck the crossbar before going out of bounds, ending the game with a 2-1 win for the T-Birds.
UBC will now return to the Point Grey campus for their final two games of the Canada West schedule. Action begins on Friday, October 16 at 7:30 p.m., when the blue and gold will suit up against the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack at Ken Woods Field. They'll then hit the pitch for their regular-season finale on Saturday, October 17, at 7:30 p.m. to take on the UNBC Timberwolves at Thunderbird Stadium.
