James Najman
The UFV Cascades men’s soccer team (1-3-0) wrestled the TRU WolfPack (0-1-1) into submission tonight in Kamloops to grab their first win of the season, as well as their first goal in open play. The Cascades looked good all night long, but with three losses to their credit so far this season they needed to turn some of that promise into results on the score-sheet, or risk wilting away in the intensifying race to the post-season. Thankfully, a header from striker James Najman in the first half put the Cascades in the lead, and gave them the chance to extract three points from a tenacious opponent.
The Cascades had trouble breaking down the WolfPack defensive line early, but spent much of the half (and of the game) with possession in the TRU half of the field. The lone goal of the match came in the 18th minute when Najman got his head on a Colton O’Neill free kick and arced it just over the outstretched gloves of TRU keeper Travis Froehlich. It was a dispiriting moment for the home team and for the press box commentators, who were forced to pause a lengthy comparison of UFV mascot Sasq’ets to a Brillo brush, and glumly narrate the UFV goal.
Arturo Ortiz
UFV keeper Arturo Ortiz made several key saves to keep the Cascades in the lead, including a point-blank denial of TRU striker Oriol Torres in the 19th minute. Tonight was Ortiz’s first start for the Cascades this season, and also his first shut-out as a Cascade. Ortiz is a former TRU player, which makes this victory all the sweeter.
A second goal seemed tantalizingly close in the second half as UFV peppered 12 shots at the TRU net, and capitalized on the extra space as the WolfPack were forced to push for an equalizer. Between the 60th and 62nd minute the Cascades took four corner kicks in a row and came close to doubling their lead. The always tricksy Kree Byrne worked magic on the right flank, while his brother Tammer helped shut down a very tall and aggressive TRU offense.
Coach Alan Errington named James Najman the Player of the Match, with Tammer a close second.
“I’m very pleased with tonight’s performance,” said Errington. “There were a few more chances that I would have liked to see go in, but every player contributed which was markedly different from last night. It wasn’t an easy game, but I don’t think there are easy games anymore in this league.”
UFV will return to the friendly confines of Abby Senior Pitch for its next match against UNBC Timberwolves on Friday, September 19 (7:00 pm).
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