ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – It wasn't easy, but the Thunderbirds (5-0) kept their perfect start to the season alive on the road against the UFV Cascades (1-3-1).
For the first half of play, it looked to be a similar story to the T-Birds' previous games, as they took an early lead and appeared to be in full control. The second half was a different story, however, as the Cascades roared to life and were only prevented from grabbing a result by a fantastic goal from the foot of Luke Norman.
Markus Rukavina notched assists on both of UBC's first half goals, making it five helpers in his last two games. The first came off a fantastic hustle play just 10 minutes in, when a corner from Nicolas Nadeau looked like it was destined to sail harmlessly through everyone and out of play. Rukavina had other ideas, though, as he lunged for the ball just before it crossed over the endline and knocked it back into the six-yard box, right to the foot of Eric Lajeunesse who tapped it home.
Just five minutes later it was Henri Godbout's turn to find the back of the net, and he did so with aplomb. After receiving the ball from Rukavina just inside the Cascades' half, the Vancouver native proceeded to coolly dribble the ball towards goal before placing a shot perfectly in the bottom corner from outside of the penalty area.
With the T-Birds up 2-0 at halftime, and outshooting UFV 8-0, the game appeared to be relatively straightforward. But the Cascades came out in the second half a different team, and almost immediately began to flip the script.
The home team's very first shot attempt of the night found the back of the net, when Ryan Torresan slotted home his first goal of the season in the 48th minute. That galvanized the Cascades, who began to apply pressure and proceeded to rack up seven more shot attempts in a row before the T-Birds could get another one of their own.
That included an equalizing goal, when Michael Beecroft stooped down low to score a diving header off a corner kick in the 73rd. Now at risk of dropping points for the first time so far this year, the 'Birds needed someone to step up and provide some magic.
That someone was Norman, who received a ball from Godbout at the edge of the box, skillfully rounded a sliding defender, and rocketed a near post shot that hit the top corner and left UFV goalkeeper Matheus De Souza rooted to the spot.
That play secured the win for the Thunderbirds, who will have the chance to improve to 6-0 on Sunday when they head up north to Prince George to take on the UNBC Timberwolves at 2:30 p.m. (PT).
