It was a historic day for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men's soccer team as they won their first Canada West match and scored their first goal in regular season play, defeating the visiting University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves 1-0 at Hillside Stadium on Friday, October 10.
With two weeks to go in the regular season, Thompson Rivers moves to 1-7-1. The Timberwolves, who were mathematically still in the running for a playoff spot in the Pacific Division, fall to 3-8.
"We played very well in the first half as we knocked the ball around," said WolfPack head coach John Antulov. "In the second, we got away from our game plan a bit. I think it was a bit of nerves – being up 1-0 and potentially winning our first game since we haven't been there for a bit. Now that we got that first goal and first win, it relieves a bit of pressure. Hopefully we can play like we did the first half today tomorrow."
Jacob Kaay (midfield, Kamloops, BC) is the team's only fifth year player. It seemed like poetic justice that it was he who scored the first ever TRU goal in Canada West history. It came in the 27th minute off a free kick.
"Jake has been a good soldier for five years and it is nice that he got it because it's his last year," stated Antulov. "But we have three more games to go so hopefully he is not done yet."
Satinder Dhaliwal (second year, midfield, Surrey, BC) took the kick and Kaay got his head on it. Dhaliwal was named the "TRU Bookstore/McDonalds Leader of the Pack Player of the Match".
"Sat played really great today," said Antulov. "He stopped some really great balls. He brought some big leadership for us."
Travis Froehlich (fourth year, Revelstoke, BC) notched his second shutout of the Canada West season. He faced six shots including four in the second half. Ty Venhola (third year, keeper, Abbotsford, BC) made four saves for UNBC.
The two teams will play again Saturday (October 11) at Hillside Stadium at 2 pm. It will be the final contest for UNBC. The WolfPack close things out next weekend (October 18-19) with a home-and-home series against the UBCO Heat.