After losing their first two games of the season to the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria, UFV’s men’s soccer team headed north to Prince George for two games against the University of Northern British Columbia’s (UNBC) Timberwolves. The weekend started with UNBC holding a record of 1-1, and the Cascades a record of 0-2.
The first game of the weekend saw the Cascades pick up the first goal early on. Parman Minhas was able put one in the net only two minutes into the game. For most of the game after, neither team was able to advance the scoring. Near the end of the game, however, the Timberwolves’ Aboubacar Cisse was able to find the top corner of the net, tying up the score. With just over 15 minutes left in the game, neither team was able to score again, ending the game in a tie.
The major highlight from the first game of the weekend was the Cascade’s exceptional goaltending. Keeper Ethan Duggan, a freshman at UFV, faced nearly double the shots compared to the opponent, and made a total of 12 saves.
Following up the tie, the Cascades were still looking for their first win of the season. Once again the Cascades started the game scoring. This time it was Jhaj Gurmaan who was able to find the back of the net, while Tyler Henderson picked up the first assist of day. While the Cascades were able to carry the lead into the second half, shortly after, the Timberwolves’ Michael Henman was able strike one past UFV’s goaltender, Ethan Duggan, to tie up the score.
For much of the second half the Cascades and the Timberwolves were back where they were two days prior: 1-1. This score, however, would not be the final. At the 72:16 mark in the game, Jhaj Gurmaan decided to take matters into his own hands and scored his second goal of the day — this time unassisted. Shortly after, in injury time, Atle Koellmel was able to put the ball past the UNBC Timberwolves for his first goal of the year, and third for the Cascades in that game. The final score saw the Cascades picking up their first win of the year with a score of 3-1.
After a three-game road trip, the Cascades will have four home games before hitting the road again. Their next games are against UBC Okanagan on Sept. 6; Thompson River, Sept. 7; Calgary, Sept. 13; and Mount Royal, Sept. 15. All games mentioned are scheduled at MRC Sports Complex in Abbotsford.
Image: UFV Flickr
