UBC's men's soccer team will aim to capture their sixth straight Canada West (CW) championship on November 4 after dispatching both the University of Calgary Dinos and the University of Alberta Golden Bears 3–0.
In their quarter-final matchup on Friday, the Thunderbirds imposed themselves on the Dinos with a strong second half of play.
UBC held much possession in the early stages with players scanning for an opening through a Dino stubborn defense. The team used their width to control the pace of the game, making strong runs on the right side but were unable to make the final connection in the box.
At the 30 minute mark, Calgary midfielder Li Ramaholison received two consecutive yellow cards, first for a foul and then for some choice words for the referee, leaving the Dinos down to 10 men for the remainder of the game.
However, the ‘Birds failed to capitalize on the man advantage for the next 15 minutes with the game going into halftime scoreless.
After the break, the ‘Birds got on the board quickly with striker Sebastian Dzikowski pushing a loose ball inside into the net. The Dinos fought back, pushing the ball up the pitch, but were unable to threaten UBC’s net.
The ‘Birds took control of the game from thereon. Chris Lee sent a curling free kick to the top right corner but it was deflected off the Calgary keeper’s outstretched hand and rattled on the post.
Midfielder Thomas Pena found the back of the net in the 57th minute and his teammate Markus Kaiser struck a low rolling ball into the left corner at the 73nd minute mark.
In Saturday’s semi-final matchup against the Golden Bears, the ‘Birds capitalized off set plays to secure the victory.
The stalemate was broken in the 42nd minute by a Dzikowski penalty slotted right into the top right corner of the keeper’s net, sending the T-Birds to the locker room with a 1–0 lead.
The start of the second half saw Alberta pushing for the equalizer, allowing UBC to run on the counter-attack. A foul near the edge of the 18 yard box in the 77th minute would then set up the second goal of the evening, a stunning strike by Lee to the back post.
UBC would continue to pressure the Golden Bears keeper, Chris Ezoua, leading to a third T-Birds goal.
A late corner by midfielder Connor Mrazek connected with Dzikowski’s head and found the back of the Golden Bears net.
The three weekend goals by Dzikowski adds to his prolific tally this season, which has already broken the program’s record for single season goals.
UBC head coach Mike Mosher highlighted the importance of set plays after the game.
“[Set plays] are always key to results in top level games. We always stress on the delivery, the initial ball and, on the third goal, that delivery was terrific.”
Overall, Mosher said the game “was a good performance against a good team … we were decisive and deserving winners.”
The ‘Birds face the Mount Royal Cougars on November 4 in Calgary for the CW title, before heading to nationals in Nova Scotia in two weeks where they will try to upgrade their silver from last year.