Abbotsford — For a team that only entered the league this season, the UBCO Heat are looking mighty comfortable at the CIS level. Tonight the Heat topped the Cascades, ending UFV’s four game win streak, and completing a two game sweep of the Abbotsford squad. With the 1-0 victory the Heat and the Cascades are tied at 4-4 in the standings, and will probably be each other’s best competition for third place in the Pacific division moving forward.
The Heat once again struck early, just as they did two weeks ago in Kelowna in the two team’s last meeting. Once again Heat striker Enzo Paal was credited with the game-winner, although this time it came in the sixth minute rather than the 90th. Paal truly made the Cascades pay for their sluggishness early, and UFV never really caught up in a game that (on home turf) should have been theirs to win.
UBCO owned the first half by nearly every statistic, but in the second the Cascades began to mobilize their resources. The physical style favoured by the Heat as a team has many advantages on the pitch, but it also makes the squad prone to committing bad fouls. Several times in the second UBCO came close to giving up penalties inside the box, and in the 72nd minute they finally did. A Heat player deliberately blocked a UFV strike with his hand, saving a goal but giving up a penalty shot. Unfortunately for the Cascades, designated kicker Colton O’Neill missed his first penalty all season (he is now three for four on the year), dismissing the Cascades best chance to tie up the game.
“I am disappointed with the result, but I thought we played well and created enough chances to win,” said Cascades coach Alan Errington. “Unfortunately, tonight they would not go in. Ravi Singh is my personal Player of the Match, as he was once again an exceptional defender for us.”
The Cascades have a bye next week, while the Heat will travel to Victoria on Friday, Oct. 3 to take on the Vikes at 7:15 pm. All games will be streamed with live video and stats at http://canadawest.tv
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