Heading into the weekend the UFV’s men’s soccer team held a record of 1-2-3 and sat in fifth place in the Canada West Pacific standings. This weekend saw the Cascades host the Calgary Dinos on Friday, Sept. 13, and the Mount Royal Cougars on Sunday, Sept. 15.
On Friday, the Cascades took a deficit early on. Only 20 seconds in Dinos player Eryk Kobza was able to open the scoring. This goal came when Kobza shot the ball from over 18 yards out on the right side, hitting the top right corner of the net.
With the quick goal by the Dinos, the Cascades refused to let one goal deflate them. Although it took over 20 minutes for the Cascades to answer, Atle Koellmel did just that. After the ball was passed from Trevor Zanatta, Koellmel was left with the ball, and no defenders around him. For his second career goal, Koellmel struck the ball, aiming for the bottom left corner of the net.
After the first half of regulation the score stood at 1-1. Unlike the first half, the Cascades opened up the scoring early into play. With just over six minutes into the half, Nawaf Binsaleh was able to grab his first goal of the season. This goal came when Binsaleh was awarded a penalty kick.
Although Binsaleh’s goal saw the Cascades take the lead, this advantage would not stand for long. Only four minutes after the Cascades’ second goal, Sam Gagne of the Dinos was able to score off a rebounded penalty kick. Once the score was tied, the Dinos remained on the pressure. With the ball bouncing in the air in front of the net, Kobza was able to grab his second of the night with a header past the Cascades’ goaltender, Ethan Duggan. With Kobza’s second goal, the Dinos would go on to defeat the Cascades 3-2.
While the Cascades ultimately came out of Friday night with a loss, Duggan left facing 17 shots. With 10 of the 17 hitting the net, he was able to make seven saves.
Despite losing Friday’s game, the Cascades came back to Matsqui Rec Centre on Sunday determined to best the Mount Royal Cougars. Although the game was scoreless after half, both teams were determined to find the net. The first half of play saw the Cascades and the Cougars take five and four shots, respectively.
After 32 minutes of play in the second half, one of the teams was finally able to find the back of the net. The goal came when Cascades’ Gurmaan Jhaj received a pass from the left side of centre field. On the run, Jhaj was able to break away from the opposing team, setting himself up for a one-on-one with the goalie. With no time to make a move, Jhaj shot the ball into the bottom left corner of the net. Although the Cougars would take more shots than the Cascades in the second half, they were unable to beat Cascade goaltender, Duggan. With Jhaj’s goal in the second half and Duggan’s shutout, the Cascades were able to win the second game of the weekend, 1-0.
With the Cascades grabbing one win and one loss this weekend at home, the team will be heading back on the road. The Cascades will be hosted by the Lethbridge Horns on Sept. 21, and the UBCO Heat on Sept. 28.
Image: UFV Athletics
