After a weekend of rest, the Cascades men’s soccer team were back into the regular season action with two games against the Trinity Western University (TWU) Spartans. The Cascades’ last pair of games were back on Sept. 28 and 29, where they left the Okanagan with one tie and one loss.
The first game of the weekend saw the Cascades hosted by the Spartans at Chase Office Field. Fresh from the long break, the Cascades started the game with energy. Once the game started, it took less than 10 minutes for Cascades’ Jehmrode Kahlon to find the first goal of the weekend. This goal came just seconds after Kahlon stole the ball from a TWU defender. On the move down the centre of the field, Kahlon danced around the same opponent before shooting the ball from outside the box, and into the bottom left corner of the net.
Although the Cascades took the lead early, the Spartans soon answered with a goal of their own. Only two minutes after Kahlon’s goal, Spartans’ player Cody Fransen was able to tie the game at 1-1. Before the end of the half, the Spartans were able to take the lead for the first time in the game. This goal came in the 28th minute of play by TWU’s Jake Ruby.
When the second half of the game started, the Cascades trailed 2-1. Not giving up on the game, they continued to battle in all areas of the field. The Cascades’ efforts resulted in them not allowing the Spartans to score for the rest of the game. Not only did the Cascades shut down the Spartans defensively, but they were able to score two more goals and win the game 3-2. These goals both came roughly halfway through the second half from Gurmaan Jhaj and Trevor Zanatta, respectively.
After grabbing the win in the first of two games against the Spartans, the Cascades entered Sunday’s game with momentum on their side. Once again, the Cascades opened the scoring of the game. This time the first goal was scored by Manpal Brar. With less than a minute of play Brar found himself in front of the TWU goaltender, inside the box, with no defenders around. He shot the ball low, into the middle of the net. Following Brar’s goal, the Cascades scored another, increasing their lead to two. This goal came when Cascades’ Jehmrode Kahlon passed the ball to Jhaj, who deflected it in past the TWU goalie.
Before the game was over, the Spartans were able to tie the score 2-2. One of the goals came just seconds before the first half was over, while the other was scored in the 61st minute of play. Although it looked like the Spartans were turning the game in their favour, Zanatta was able to capitalize on a scramble in front of the TWU net. After a throw-in resulted in a couple scoring attempts for the Cascades, the ball bounced to the feet of Zanatta. Aiming the ball past a cluster of players, Zanatta scored the third goal for the Cascades, which would ultimately be the game winner.
Next weekend the Cascades will be playing their last two games of the regular season. Friday, Oct. 18 the Cascades will host the University of Victoria Vikes at 8 p.m., followed by a road game on Saturday, Oct. 19 at the University of British Columbia at 2 p.m.
