Cascades keeper Alex Skrzeta turns aside a shot from TRU’s Keenan Wallace. (Andrew Snucins photos)
Ryan Glanville and the Thompson Rivers WolfPack denied the University of the Fraser Valley men’s soccer team a perfect opening weekend.
Glanville, a third-year TRU striker, scored twice in the first half and added an assist on Oriol Torres’s goal after the break as the WolfPack blanked the Cascades 3-0 on Sunday afternoon in Kamloops.
The Cascades were coming off a 2-0 win over the UBC Okanagan Heat in their Canada West regular season opener on Saturday, but weren’t able to match that performance in the second game of a back-to-back set on the road.
UFV’s Michael Mobilio battles with TRU’s Keenan Wallace during Sunday afternoon’s game in Kamloops.
“I’m disappointed in today, based on how well we did yesterday,” Cascades head coach Tom Lowndes said. “What a difference 24 hours makes – a complete contrast. We got outworked, out-battled. They wanted it more than us. Credit to TRU – they had a couple of chances, and they took advantage.”
The Cascades now turn their focus to preparing for their home openers next weekend. They host the UBC Thunderbirds on Friday, and the UVic Vikes on Saturday. Both games kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Abbotsford Senior Secondary’s Panther Field.
Glanville opened the scoring in the fifth minute, off a feed from Colton Walker. He made it 2-0 off a Cascades turnover in the 29th minute, then set up Torres for the third WolfPack goal in the 59th.
The Cascades out-shot TRU 16-8, and had a great scoring chance in the 32nd minute when striker James Najman got his head on the ball and sent it just over the WolfPack cage.
In the second half, UFV had two apparent goals – by strikers Daniel Molendijk and Daniel Davidson – disallowed on offside calls.
“In reality, we got what we deserved,” Lowndes analyzed. “We weren’t at the races today.”
UFV and TRU, both 1-1-0, are tied for third in the Pacific Division of Canada West.
The WolfPack were coming off a 3-1 loss to Trinity Western on Saturday.
“I think the guys realized that they didn’t play to their potential yesterday,” said WolfPack head coach John Antulov. “Not a lot had to be said. They did what they had to do today. You saw in the first half today that in the centre of the park, everyone was battling and we were winning most of the balls. I said before the match to the guys that in a worst-case scenario, battle and show commitment and don’t take anything off. They did that.”
– with files from TRU Athletics communications
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