After a three-game road trip, the UFV men’s soccer team returned home this weekend for back-to-back games at the Matsqui Recreation Centre. Although prior to this weekend the Cascades sat at a record of 1-2-1, this weekend marked the first time the Cascades would play at home since their first win of the season.
The Cascades hosted the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) Heat for the first of the two games. Heading into the weekend, the Heat held a record of 3-1. For most of the first half of regulation, the score remained tied, with neither team able to find the back of the net. However, after 30 minutes of play, UBCO’s Sam McDonald received a pass from teammate Luke Warkentin, setting McDonald up for a quick dish into the net.
As the clock continued inching closer to the end of regulation, the game stood at 1-0 for the Heat. Finally, after 71 minutes of play, Gurmaan Jhaj was able to place himself in front of the net with the ball, close enough that he decided to shoot. Jhaj’s shot was blocked by a Heat player, but lucky enough for the Cascades, the ball hopped over to Sahib Sidhu. With the Heat goaltender still on the ground, Sidhu chipped the ball into the top corner of the net. Not only did this goal tie up the game, Sidhu’s goal marked the first time the second-year had scored wearing the Cascades uniform. Although both teams were hungry to take the lead, the game would conclude at 1-1.
After the Cascades’ tie against UBCO, the men’s soccer team had less than 24 hours until they hosted the Thompson River University (TRU) Wolfpack. In the second game of the weekend for the Cascades, the scoring started early. After only eight minutes of play, TRU’s Josh Banton took the ball away from the Cascades and found the back of the net. The Cascades had difficulty answering the plays from TRU for the rest of the game, but would not leave goalless.
Fortunately for the Cascades, there was extra time added on to the end of regulation due to injuries throughout the first 90 minutes of play, which first-year Mikael Mainella took advantage of. After a long throw into play caused a scramble in front of the TRU’s goalie, Jackson Gardner, Mainella worked his way forward until he was tight to the net. One quick pass from Jhaj allowed Mainella to tuck the ball past the Wolfpack’s goalkeeper.
With little time left after the Cascade goal, the game concluded with a score of 1-1. Despite coming out of the weekend without a win, the Cascades can rest knowing they battled back from a deficit twice over the weekend to clinch two points in the standings. After the weekend the Cascades sit in fifth place in the Canada West Pacific standings.
The Cascades still have two games at home before hitting the road again. Their next games are against Calgary Dinos on Sept. 13, and the Mount Royal Cougars on Sept. 15. These games will be held at MRC Sports Complex in Abbotsford.
Image: UFV Athletics
