Edmonton, Alberta….The University of Alberta Golden Bears defeated the UFV Cascades, 2-0, in Canada West men’s soccer regular season action at Foote Field, in Edmonton, Alberta this afternoon. The victory improves the Golden Bears record to 5-3-2 for 17 points in the Prairie Division and the loss drops UFV’s record 4-6-1 for 13 points, in the Pacific Division. Both Alberta and UFV are currently in 3rd place in their respective divisions, the top three teams, in each division, earn a berth in the Canada West playoffs.
The Cascades story of the game was second year goalkeeper Arturo Ortiz, Veracruz, Mexico making his CIS debut against one of the strongest soccer programs in Canada West. The rookie business major played very well considering it was on the road in a venue where the Golden Bears hardly lose a soccer match. Ortiz made a total of three recorded saves but his play was very dominate in the early going as he and the Cascades back four kept the powerful Golden Bear offense from any point blank shots.
The Cascades gave Alberta a good challenge in the first half winning their share of loose balls in the middle of the field and controlling the play in critical times when it looked like Alberta was about to take control of the match. Dylan Jordan, Surrey, BC and Sahib Phagura, Abbotsford, BC both tested Alberta’s goalkeeper Jay Vetsch, Edmonton, Alberta, but Vetsch made the needed saves to keep UFV off the board.
The Golden Bears did take advantage of UFV’s only defensive breakdown of the half as Kevin Perry, Edmonton, AB found Mohamed Teliani sprinting down the middle of the pitch unmarked and hit Teliani with a perfect pass and the Edmonton midfielder made no mistake in blasting a 25 yard shot past Ortiz to give the home team a one goal lead at the break.
The second belonged to the Golden Bears as they controlled enough of the match to earn the victory. UFV did challenge late for a goal after Alberta scored their second of the match by Marcus Johnstone, Edmonton, AB at the 72nd minute of the match, but Vetsch stood his ground today to earn the shutout in Alberta’s net.
The Cascades Ravi Singh, Abbotsford, BC was named the UFV’s “player of the game” for his excellent play on defense.
“We were very competitive today. Arturo handled himself well in our net for his first game,” said UFV head coach Alan Errington. “We just could not find a way to score a goal.”
UFV 0 0 = 0 (4-6-1)
UA 1 1 = 2 (5-3-2)
Scoring
First Half:
22nd Minute UA: M Teliani (K Perry)
Second Half:
72nd Minute: UA: M Johnstone (T Esan)
Goalkeepers:
UFV: Arturo Ortiz Saves: 3 GA: 2 (L)
UA: Jay Vetsch Saves: 1 GA: 0 (W) Shutout
Shots on Goal:
UFV: 9 UA: 5
Corner Kicks:
UFV: 4 UA: 6
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