KELOWNA, B.C. - A pair of second half goals propelled the UBC Okanagan Heat men's soccer team to a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Thompson Rivers WolfPack to kick off the 2022-23 President's Cup on Friday evening at Nonis Field.
The Heat showed up to play against the WolfPack, looking to extend their win streak to two matches. Kicking off the match with the desire of the President's Cup, the Heat found themselves in physical battles all over the turf. The 'Pack found an early goal, giving them a lead going into the second half.
Looking to get on the board in the second, Jacobo Saenz Ramos, a second-year forward from Monterrey, Mexico, found the back of the WolfPack's net in the 51st minute after corraling a loose ball following a free-kick into box.
Twelve minutes before the end of the match, the Heat took the lead through Juan Pablo Rojas Uribe, a first-year student from Guadalajara, Mexico. Rojas Uribe finished with an impressive two-touch strike from 25 yards out, burying a shot into the bottom corner of the net to put the Heat up 2-1.
From there, rookie keeper Ronon Woodroffe of Kelowna, B.C., would hold down the fort, denying multiple late opportunities from TRU, including a save off the line, to propel the Heat to their fourth win in six games. Woodroffe would finish the evening with eight saves.
TOP PERFORMERS
Ronan Woodroffe – UBCO
The rookie goalkeeper was once again the man of the match for the Heat as he made several jaw-dropping saves to improve to 4-1-1 since taking over the net for UBCO.
Patrick Izett - TRU
The fourth-year midfielder from North Delta, B.C., Izett was a physical presence on the field on Friday evening. Firing six shots and assisting on the WolfPack's only goal, Izett was a threat in the Heat's box using every chance to bury the ball.
WHERE THEY SIT
With the Heat's win, combined with the UFV Cascades knocking off the Trinity Western Spartans, the Heat move into a tie for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Canada West Pacific division. Both UBCO and UFV sit at 4-4-2 on the season, good for a .467 winning percentage.
As for the WolfPack, they drop their third game of the year to sit at 7-3-2, still good for top spot in the division.
The victory also gives the Heat a 1-0 lead in the battle for the male Presidents' Cup, the inter-university competition between UBCO and TRU in soccer, volleyball and basketball. Last season, the Heat men captured the trophy for the first time in 25 years after playing to a 4-4-1 record, but holding the overall points tiebreaker.
UP NEXT
UBCO will return to action for Graduating Seniors Night, Saturday, October 8th, when they kick off at home against the same WolfPack to continue their President's Cup weekend. Prior to kickoff, the Heat will recognize their lone graduating senior, Aidan Tuck of Russell, Ont.
Kickoff is set for 5:45 p.m. at Nonis Field and tickets are free for all fans.
