Box Score LANGLEY, B.C. – The UBC Okanagan Heat men's soccer team earned a point on the road against the Trinity Western Spartans on Friday night as the two teams played to a 1-1 draw.
In the season opener for both teams after a nearly two-year layoff due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the visitors that jumped on the board first thanks to an own goal from the Spartans in the 34th minute.
Trinity Western, who outshot the blue and gold 6-0 in the opening half, were finally able to break through when Mario Banovic of Burnaby, B.C., found a loose ball in the six-yard box off a free kick. He was able to turn and deposit a shot past Heat keeper Nicholas Reitsma of Kelowna, B.C., to even the score just before the halftime whistle.
In the second half, both teams had their opportunities to take the lead but perhaps none bigger than in stoppage time when the Spartans were awarded a penalty. Tristan Torresan of North Vancouver, B.C., stepped up for the hosts but his shot hit the woodwork before getting knocked behind by Reitsma to deny the rebound.
The result left the teams deadlocked and sharing the points.
Reistma was strong in goal for the Heat, making four saves, while Sebastian Colyn of Langley, B.C., made two saves for Trinity Western.
The two teams will close out their weekend doubleheader on Saturday evening when they meet again at Chase Office Field. Kickoff is set for 7:15 p.m. and the game can be seen live on CanadaWest.tv.
