KELOWNA, B.C. – A powerhouse performance by rookie keeper and Kelowna product
Ronan Woodroffe propelled the UBC Okanagan Heat men's soccer team to a decisive 3-1 win over the visiting Trinity Western Spartans on Saturday night at Nonis Field.
The Heat dominated the action throughout the first half, opening up the action with two goals in the first 10 minutes of play.
Jacobo Saenz Ramos (Monterrey, Mexico) kicked off the scoring hot streak, finding the back of the net in the fourth minute off a feed from
Matteo Bigattini (Kelowna, B.C.) for his second goal of the season. Three minutes later, Saenz Ramos added an assist to his tally, finding midfielder and Langley, B.C., product
Alex Sol, who earned his first career Canada West goal, putting the Heat up 2-0.
In the second half, the Heat would increase their lead to 3-0 with a 62
nd minute goal from
Juan Pablo Rojas Uribe (Guadalajara, Mexico), assisted by Port Coquitlam, B.C. native,
Jacob York.
The Heat's goals would remain unanswered until the 88
th minute of play when TWU's late game push resulted in their solitary goal of the match.
TOP PERFORMERS
Ronan Woodroffe – UBCO
The rookie goalkeeper was a solid wall for the Heat, stopping seven total shots in the Saturday evening affair and robbing the Spartans of multiple opportunities. With the seven total saves, Woodroffe ties his own record on the season for the most saves he has made in a single match, reaching the same tally in the 4-1 victory over the Lethbridge Pronghorns on September 25
th.
Jordan Low – TWU
With an 88
th minute goal, the rookie from Port Moody, B.C., would be the only Spartans player to find a way past Woodroffe in the match. Playing for the full 90 minutes, the first-year midfielder totaled two shots, both of which were shots on goal for the Spartans.
WHERE THEY SIT
The Heat's record now rises to 3-4-2 on the season thanks to the Saturday night victory, surpassing UFV to take over fifth place in the Canada West Pacific division. The Spartans record now drops to 5-5-2 as they sit just above the Heat for the fourth and final playoff spot in the division.
UP NEXT
The Heat will return to Nonis Field next weekend, looking to defend their title as last year's Presidents' Cup champions as they on the Thompson Rivers WolfPack on Friday and Saturday night. The Friday action is set to kickoff at 6 p.m., followed by a 5:45PM start on Saturday, October 8th. Tickets for both matches are free.