PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. - The UBC Okanagan Heat men's soccer team scored twice in less than two minutes midway through the second half on Saturday afternoon to earn themselves a 2-2 draw with the UNBC Timberwolves.
Trailing 2-0 after 45 minutes, and needing a result to stay in the Canada West Pacific division playoff race, the Heat cut the lead in half thanks to a tally from
Julian Pascual of Pessac, France in the 67th minute.
UBCO would quickly tie the match less than two minutes later as Pascual would find a wide-open
Malachi Emerson (Surrey, B.C.) in the box who made no mistake in burying his fifth goal of the season to even the score.
The goal gave Emerson a share of the UBCO single-season record for goals since joining Canada West, matching him with Luke Warkentin, who also scored five back in 2018.
Despite trailing by a pair after the opening half, the Heat still managed to produce some highlights on defence, emphasized by a spectacular goal-line clearance from
Alex Sol of Langley, B.C., in the 10th minute.
TOP PERFORMERS
Julian Pascual – UBCO
The first-year midfielder led the Heat's second-half push as was active on and off the ball, finding space behind the Timberwolves defensive line which rewarded him with a goal and an assist on Saturday afternoon.
Kayden Miner - UNBC
The first-year defender was a strong competitor for the Timberwolves as his physicality resulted in the game's opening goal on Saturday.
WHERE THEY SIT
Thanks to the draw, the Heat extend their point streak to four games (2-0-2) and now sit at 4-4-4 on the season. However, the team remains outside of the playoffs, tied with the Trinity Western Spartans for fifth in the Pacific division.
As for UNBC, the draw inches them closer to a playoff berth as they remain in third place in the division with a 6-4-3 record.
UP NEXT
These two teams will close out their weekend double-header on Sunday in another massive game for the Heat. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. in Prince George and can be seen live on Canada West TV.
