EDMONTON — The UBCO Heat men's soccer team (0-6-2) rallied from being a goal and a man down on Sunday to earn a 1-1 draw with the MacEwan Griffins (0-6-3) at Clarke Stadium.

The first half between the Heat and MacEwan was marked by a steady exchange of fouls and strategic plays, culminating in a 1-1 tie at halftime. 

MacEwan's Nicolas Luczkiewicz opened the scoring in the 43rd minute, assisted by Ali Yildiz. Despite being reduced to ten men after Allan Yin received a red card in the 13th minute, the Heat found the equalizer at the stroke of halftime, with Dario Fedele scoring off an assist by Gavin La Montagne. 

Both teams had multiple scoring opportunities, with Tyson Gugushe making crucial saves for the Heat and Oleksandr Popravka stopping several shots for MacEwan.

The second half saw a flurry of activity, yet neither team could break the deadlock. MacEwan pressed early with a shot by Alain Sitchet wide right in the 48th minute, followed by a series of attempts from Ali Yildiz, which were saved by Gugushe. 

UBCO's Jacobo Saenz Ramos and Alex Sol both attempted headers, but MacEwan's goalkeeper Popravka made a critical save on Sol's effort in the 74th minute. The half was marked by numerous fouls from both sides and yellow cards issued to UBCO's Matthew Alexander and three MacEwan players, including Sitchet in the 77th minute. 

Despite MacEwan's persistent offence, culminating in a Gugushe save on the Griffins Macky Mahfouz in the 89th minute, the match concluded with the score still tied 1-1.

Fedele scored the lone goal for the Heat, converting one of his two shots, both of which were on target. La Montagne provided the assist, contributing to the team's attack with two shots, one on goal. Gugushe recorded six saves in goal, facing seven shots against him.

The next challenge for UBCO comes as they travel to Victoria to take on the Victoria Vikes. The match is set for Friday, September 26 at 7:15 p.m.

Game Notes:
- Gugushe made his first start in two years for the Heat, earning his first-ever Canada West result with the draw.
- Regular starting keeper Ronan Woodroffe dressed at forward for UBCO with the team missing a number of players due to injury and suspension. Woodroffe would end up playing eight minutes in the match
- Fedele's goal was his first in nearly two years and second of his Heat career.