VICTORIA, B.C. – After 90 minutes of scoreless, yet high-flying action, the UBC Thunderbirds were edged by the Victoria Vikes 1-0 through extra time on Friday night at Centennial Stadium. The Blue and Gold now have a chance to fight for bronze on Sunday morning, as they gear up for a rematch of the Canada West Final against the University of Alberta Golden Bears.
Substitute Elliot Lupton played hero for the hosts, finding the back of the net in the 104th minute for the lone goal throughout, punching the Vikes' ticket to their first national final since 2011.
Victoria had an early opportunity when Rees Goertzen forced UBC goalkeeper
Roko Vukic into a save in the 10th minute. UBC responded before halftime with shots from
Oliver Herbert in the 38th minute and Yuan Yu-Hsuan in the 41st, both turned aside by Vikes netminder Callum Weir.
The Thunderbirds increased the pressure after the break. Weir saved efforts from
Max Comsia in the 51st minute and
Luke Norman in the 57th before Alex Moody made a defensive save on
Brennen Fuerst in the 62nd.
Henri Godbout tested Weir again in the 79th, but the match remained scoreless at the end of regulation.
Victoria began to threaten in the first extra-time period. Evan Larson sent one shot wide and another high before Lupton, who replaced Jack Napier-Ganley in the 95th minute, broke the deadlock in the 104th.
UBC continued to search for an equalizer in the second extra-time period. Godbout's header in the 108th minute was saved by Weir, and the Thunderbirds won a late corner in the 116th, but Victoria protected its narrow lead to the final whistle.
UBC outshot Victoria 15–7, including 7–2 on goal, but the Vikes' defence held firm.
Henri Kim Godbout was named UBC's Nike Team Player of the Game, while Fin Tugwell received the honour for Victoria.
Victoria will face Montréal in Sunday's gold-medal match at 2:00 p.m. PCT at Centennial Stadium, while UBC will meet Alberta for bronze at 11:00 a.m. PCT.
