KELOWNA, B.C. — The UBCO Heat fell 2-1 to the Saskatchewan Huskies on Friday at Nonis Sports Field, as a late second-half push came up short of a draw. The Heat managed six shots on goal and even outshot the Huskies after the break, but two first-half goals from the visitors proved to be the difference and gave them the three points.
UBCO's
Charlie Prefontaine was perfect in front of goal, converting his lone attempt off of a corner for the team's sole tally and his first of the season.
Will Armitage set up the goal and put a shot on target, while
Ronan Woodroffe went the full 90 minutes between the sticks, pushing five shots away.
Ethan Cabral was a constant threat for the Huskies, netting the game winner and leading all players with eight shot attempts, with five on target. Tao Hein opened the scoring for Saskatchewan, while Jaron Slopinski matched Woodroffe and made five saves over the full 90 minutes in goal.
The opening stretch was back and forth, with possession trading hands as both sides leaned on long balls over the top. The Huskies broke through when a well-placed through ball sprung Hein, who calmly slotted his finish into the bottom left corner. UBCO answered with their best spell of the half, as
Gavin La Montagne rattled the post to spark three corners in quick succession.
Allan Yin was shown a yellow card in the 38th minute, and then Cabral doubled the lead right at the halftime whistle to send the Huskies into the break up by a comfortable two-goal margin. The Huskies outshot the Heat 9-3 in the half with six on target. Woodroffe made four crucial saves to keep the game within reach for UBCO.
The Heat came out with more urgency after the break, outshooting the Huskies 6-4 and earning six corners to the visitor's five. The push paid off in the 67th minute when Prefontaine finished off a feed from Armitage's corner to cut the deficit to 2-1, but Slopinski and the Huskies' defence held firm the rest of the way to confirm the 2-1 result.
The Heat stay home next week to host the UNBC Timberwolves on Friday, Oct. 9, at 7:45 p.m. at Nonis Sports Field in support of the
Soccer for Cancer campaign.
