LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – The UBC Okanagan Heat men's soccer team earned a crucial single point on the road on Sunday afternoon as they rallied for a 1-1 draw with the Lethbridge Pronghorns.
The result keeps the Heat in a tie with the Trinity Western Spartans for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Pacific division. Both teams currently own a 0.333 win percentage with UBCO having six games remaining while the Spartans have eight games left.
Heat keeper
Ronan Woodroffe of Toronto, starred in net for UBCO in this one as the third-year keeper finished the match with seven saves. He now has 51 saves on the season, good for second-most in the Canada West conference.
Second-year midfielder
Rory Clements of Squamish, B.C., entered the match in the 55
th minute, along with forward
Jaise Shaw of Calgary, and the two combined to make an immediate impact with their team trailing 1-0.
Just four minutes after coming on, Shaw was sent in on goal and the rookie forward made a heads-up pass to Clements who was coming late to the back post. Clements took a quick touch to settle the ball before finishing to even the score at one.
The two teams would push for a winner over the final 30 minutes of the match, with Lethbridge having the better opportunities but Woodroffe made two saves, including one in stoppage tie, to earn his team a point.
TOP PERFORMERS
GK Ronan Woodroffe – UBCO
The third-year Heat netminder was once again at the top of his game on Sunday, posting seven saves, moving him within two of his career-best of 53 which he set back in his rookie season.
MF Will Hughes – Lethbridge
The fourth-year midfielder from Lethbridge County, Alta., was dynamic for the hosts, playing all 90 minutes and finishing with a game-high three shots on goal.
WHERE THEY STAND
The Heat (2-4-3) snapped their two-game losing skid to maintain a share of fourth place in the Pacific division. Meanwhile, the Pronghorns (2-2-5) maintain their hold on fourth place in the Prairie division, extending their unbeaten run to four games.
UP NEXT
UBCO returns to Kelowna next weekend to take on the Victoria Vikes for the second time this season on Friday, September 27. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Nonis Sports Field and tickets to the game are free for everyone.
