VIKES 2
TIMBERWOLVES 1
The only thing wilder than the weather was the travel.
The University of Victoria Vikes split a two-game Canada West men’s soccer set against the University of Northern B.C. Timberwolves after a 2-1 Vikes victory on Monday afternoon at UVic’s Centennial Stadium, following a 5-2 Timberwolves win on Sunday.
The games were originally scheduled for Prince George. The venue was changed because of snow, but only after the Vikes had already flown up to the northern B.C. city.
The games were shifted to Victoria, with both teams travelling down to the Island.
“It’s the same for both teams,” said UVic coach Bruce Wilson.
“It was a long couple of days, no question about it.”
Both teams are 4-9-1 and in desperate playoff pushes.
Isaac Koch opened scoring Monday for UVic at 15 minutes before James Stephens levelled for UNBC at 56 minutes. Tarnvir Bhandal scored the winner for the Vikes at 76 minutes.
Francesco Bartolillo recorded the hat trick Sunday for UNBC. Paulo Dait and Koch scored the UVic goals.
The UVic men remain home for games this Friday and Saturday against the Trinity Western University Spartans and UBC-Okanagan Heat.
In Canada West women’s play, the undefeated and CIS national No. 2-ranked Trinity Western Spartans (10-0-2) blanked the UVic Vikes 2-0 on Sunday at UVic. The Vikes fell to 5-4-3 but have clinched a playoff berth
The UVic women hit the road this weekend for games in Winnipeg against the Wesmen and Bisons.