Timberwolves hold onto early lead to defeat Heat

Ty Venhola vs UBCO sept 7

Prince George, BC - Two goals in the first half were enough to carry the UNBC Timberwolves men's soccer team to their first victory of the season on Sunday afternoon at the North Cariboo Senior Soccer League fields. The Timberwolves defeated the UBC Okanagan Heat 2-1, moving both teams to a 1-1 record.

Right from the beginning the Timberwolves looked like a different team then the one that came out yesterday. The Timberwolves first goal came in the 12th minute when Tofa Fakunle (Calgary, AB) flicked a ball on to rookie midfielder Francesco Bartolillo (Calgary, AB). Bartolillo shot a bullet into the far bottom right corner, putting the Timberwolves up 1-0. Fakunle netted one of his own when a shot from Connor Noftle (Chilliwack, BC) was blocked by a defender who headed the ball away. Fakunle volleyed the ball back from the top corner of the box finding the back of the net in the 35th minute, giving the Timberwolves a 2-0 lead heading into the break.

The Heat continued to challenge throughout the second half and it paid off in the 55th minute. Austin Jones (Vernon, BC) got behind the back line pulling the keeper out to challenge but Jones sent a long shot past the recovering Timberwolves keeper, closing the gap for the Heat 2-1. Moments later it looked like Jones was going to be able to repeat when he won the second ball off the keepers distribution and sent a shot sailing just outside the left post.  

The Timberwolves were able to withstand the Heat's barrage of shots in the final minutes finishing the game with a 2-1 win over the Heat.

The UBC OKanagan Heat will travel to the Fraser Valley next weekend to take on the University of Fraser Valley Cascades and the Trinity Western University Spartans. The Heat will take on the Cascades Friday evening, followed by the Spartans Saturday night.

The UNBC Timberwolves continue their Canada West campaign next weekend when they travel to Vancouver for a double header against the UBC Thunderbirds. The Timberwolves are scheduled to play Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

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Jesse Olynyk
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