KELOWNA, B.C. – Rookie forward
Aidan Synnuck recorded a goal and an assist on Friday night to power the UBC Okanagan Heat men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over the rival Thompson Rivers WolfPack at Nonis Sports Field.
Synnuck, a native of Sidney, B.C., opened the scoring with his second goal of his freshman campaign in the 16
th minute. The arts major ran onto a lovely feed from
Zack MacInnes of Kelowna, B.C., and fired a shot off the crossbar and in to give the Heat the early advantage.
After the WolfPack tied the match at one 20 minutes into the second half, Synnuck would play distributor as he set up the game-winning goal in the 76
th minute. After the Heat caused a turnover in the middle of the pitch, Synnuck laid off a perfect pass for fellow rookie
Jaise Shaw of Calgary, who made no mistake finding the far side of the net for his second goals of the season to give UBCO a 2-1 lead.
From there UBCO would shut down the WolfPack, allowing just a single shot to pick up their third win of the season.
In goal, Heat keeper
Ronan Woodroffe of Toronto was impressive, turning aside four shots, including stopping a TRU penalty in the 59
th minute, to pick up the victory.
With his four saves, Woodroffe also equals the UBCO record for most saves in a career with 178, tying the mark previously set by Nicholas Reitsma.
UBCO's win also gives them the early lead in the men's Presidents' Cup competition as they lead 1-0 as they look to reclaim the trophy after Thompson Rivers won it last season.
The Heat will close out their season on home turf on Saturday, October 12 when they rematch with the WolfPack at Nonis Sports Field.
Prior to kickoff, the team will honour their three graduating seniors, including
Jacob York of Port Coquitlam, B.C.,
Alex Sol of Langley, B.C., and MacInnes.
Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. and tickets to the game are free for all fans.
