UFV Cascades men’s soccer team defeat the University of Victoria Vikes, 2-1, in Canada West Bronze Medal match, at UBC
Cascades Men’s Soccer Playoff Firsts:
First Appearance in Canada West Medal Match
First Canada West medal: Bronze
First Victory in Canada West Medal Match: 2-1 over Victoria
First Goal in Canada West Medal Match: Justin Sekhon
First Game Winning Goal : Ryan Liddiard
First win in goal: Mark Village
Vancouver, BC…The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades men’s soccer team defeated the University of Victoria Vikes, 2-1, in the 2013 Canada West Bronze Medal match, played at David Sidoo Field, on the campus of UBC. The Cascades finish the 2013 season with their best record in the eight years affiliated with Canada West at 8-8-1 (regular and post season). UFV also had an incredible run at UBC’s David Sidoo Field, this year, finishing with a winning record at UBC’s famed soccer pitch at 3-2-0.
Today’s match was a tale of two halves, the Cascades played mostly a defensive first half keeping the Vikes from striking early. UFV was outshot in the half 10 to 3 as the Vikes offense tested UFV’s goalkeeper Mark Village, Abbotsford, BC all afternoon. The veteran keeper was up to the task as he recorded five saves in the half and for the most part kept Victoria frustrated. The Cascades had one breakdown in midfield at the 33rd minute and Victoria was able to take advantage as Cam Hundal, Terrace, BC stole the ball at midfield beat several Cascades and then Village from 10 yards out to give Victoria the one goal lead at halftime.
As the second half started, Coach Alan Errington made several substitutions and they paid off right away. The complexion of the game changed with UFV winning all the loose balls and creating several scoring chances. Victoria’s goalkeeper Elliot Mitrou, Victoria, BC was busy making key saves to protect the slim one goal lead. UFV was relentless midfielders Justin Sekhon, Abbotsford, BC and Ethan Claibourne-Collins, Chilliwack, BC kept pushing down the wings looking to create the one opportunity for UFV to tie the game. Their hard paid off when one of Coach’s Errington’s halftime replacements started to control the midfield, Josh Brown, a first year forward from Fort Langley, BC set Sekhon up in front of the net and Justin’s header beat Mitrou to tie the match at the 72nd minute.
UFV kept coming and Brown kept winning all the loose balls in front of Victoria’s net, Brown set up Ryan Liddiard, Kamloops, BC to the left of Mitrou and the fourth year defenders shot beat the Victoria goalie cleanly to the short side to give UFV the lead with ten minutes remaining. The Cascades killed the last ten minutes of the match to earn the programs first ever medal.
Village made nine saves for the victory in nets and Liddiard was named the Cascades “player of the game” for his strong play on defense and scoring the winning goal.
“I am very proud of our squad. Today they showed up and kept working for 90 minutes. This is a very important day in our program’s growth,” commented UFV head coach Alan Errington.
UFV 0 2 = 2
UVic 1 0 = 1
Scoring
First Half:
33rd Minute UVic Cam Hundal
Second Half:
72nd Minute UFV: Justin Sekhon (Josh Brown)
79th Minute UFV: Ryan Liddiard (Josh Brown)
Goalkeeper:
UFV: Mark Village GA: 1 Saves: 9 (W)
UVic: Elliot Mitrou GA: 2 Saves: 4 (L)
Shots on Goal:
UFV: 10 UVic: 20
Corner Kicks:
UFV: 4 UVic: 11
Photos Courtesy of UBC Sports Information Office
Congrats UFV Men! Bronze in Canada West! Proud of you Ethan, congrats from everyone at Cheam Elementary especially your P.E. Teacher 🙂