RECAP: Heat fall to Timberwolves, split weekend doubleheader

UBC Okanagan men's soccer fall on Sunday to their host in Prince George (3-0) but still hold onto third place in the Pacific Division.

SCORING	                1	2	FINAL
UBC Okanagan (4-4-2)	0	0	0
UNBC (3-8-1)	        3	0	3

PRINCE GEORGE, BC -- The UNBC Timberwolves defeated the UBC Okanagan Heat in men’s soccer competition Sunday afternoon by a final score of 3-0.

With the win, the UNBC Timberwolves improve their record to 3-8-1 and lift themselves out of last place in the Pacific Division, passing the University of Victoria (3-7-1). The UBC Okanagan Heat remain in third place in the Pacific Division, with a new record of 4-4-2 and 14 points.

First and second place are owned by the Trinity Western Spartans (26 pts) and the UBC Thunderbirds (23 pts), both of whom have two games in hand on the Heat.

Thompson Rivers, currently in fifth place will be the the opponent for UBCO's next two matches as they play in a home and home double header this Thursday and then on Saturday. The match on Thursday (Oct. 6) will be when they travel to TRU for the opening leg. On Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. the Heat will host the 'Pack to close the series.

All the scoring came in the first half, with the Timberwolves scoring their three goals in the 7th, 19th, and then 45th minute. UNBC’s 4th year midfielder/striker Tofa Fakunle played a part in all three goals.

The first goal of the match, scored at 6:50, came when Heat keeper Mitch McCaw stopped Fakunle’s initial attack, but allowed a rebound which the Timberwolves midfielder buried to open the scoring.

The second goal of the match came just over ten minutes later, when 3rd year Timberwolves striker Cheona Edzerza received a long through ball from Fakunle in the 19th minute, and beat McCaw on his left for his second goal of the season.

Fakunle scored once more in the 45th minute, taking a ball from 3rd year UNBC forward Francesco Bartolillo at the top of the 18-yard box, and drilling a shot past McCaw into the top left corner to close out the first half.

The best scoring chance for the Heat came in the 70th minute, when Timberwolves keeper Mitch MacFarlane gave up a rebound after stopping a shot from 2nd year Heat forward Tyler Shalansky. Freshman UBC Okanagan forward Zach Rachynski corralled the rebound, but put his shot off the crossbar.

The Timberwolves have a bye next weekend, and will not play their next match until Saturday, October 15 when the UVIC Vikes travel to Prince George.

~ Grayson Leahy, UBC Okanagan Heat, with notes from Geordie Carragher/UNBC Timberwolves