By Nathan Hutton (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: October 15, 2014
The UFV men’s soccer team has struggled with consistency during the 2014 regular season. Their overall record of 4-4-0 before this weekend was in the middle of the Canada West pacific division, but wasn’t anything special.
They were set to face their toughest opponent to date this weekend, going up against the number-one-ranked University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (8-0-0). The last time these two teams met, it was much of the same story: UBC was ranked first and undefeated, but ended up losing to the Cascades’ squad 2-1 in their only loss of the year. UBC went on to win the national title, and the Cascades — although they did qualify for the playoffs — were unable to gain any traction, and fell early.
Colton O’Neil was the first player to make a mark on the scoreboard when he converted on a penalty kick. UBC’s Navid Mashinchi also converted on his own penalty, quickly countering the momentum the Cascades had.
As the game went back and forth, the Cascades were neck-and-neck with the Thunderbirds, showing that although the Cascades weren’t on the national radar and the Thunderbirds were known as the best team around, the Cascades still had the ability to do damage to the T-Birds.
“All the guys step up (against UBC), because we know they’re the number one team in Canada,” said Justin Sekhon after the game to Cascades Media.
Sekhon talked about his goal that sealed the win for the Cascades in the 89th minute: “I was just floating at the top of the box, and Connor MacMillan had the ball and I made a run and was pretty open. He put it right in my path.”
The Cascades’ 2-1 victory over the UBC Thunderbirds is their second time in the last two years that the Cascades have upset the best team in the country.
“We have the utmost respect for them, they’re the best team in the country by a country mile,” said coach Alan Errington. “But it comes down to our players. They’ve executed very well.”
The Cascades men’s soccer team also battled the University of Victoria Vikings this weekend; the 1-1 draw was the last home game of the year for the Cascades, and the last home game ever for players Mark Village, Ravi Singh, Trevor O’Neill, Ryan Liddiard, and Juan Pablo Mora Perea.
Not only was Trevor O’Neill playing his last game with the Cascades, but it was the last opportunity for him to play with his brothers Colton and Connor, who will both return to the Cascades next season without their older brother.
The women’s soccer team was able to score a pair of draws in their weekend action against the Vikings and Thunderbirds.
Next weekend the Cascades will play their regular season final games, first travelling to play Trinity Western University, and then the University of Victoria.
