18 November 17, 2010 + Over the Edge Underdog T-Wolves Place Second at Soccer Provincials Men’s team knocks out nation’s best to advance to finals BROCK CAMPBELL SPORTS EDITOR # The UNBC men’s soccer team surprised the competition at this year’s provincial championships held on October 29-31 in Surrey. The T-Wolves exceeded all expectations, except maybe their own, advancing to the finals PHOTO CENTER FOR CAMPUS LIFE before losing to Vancouver Island Mariners (VIU) 3-0. Up against a tough opponent in the first round, the Capilano Blues (CAP), it was questionable whether UNBC would even make it past their first game. The T-Wolves not only beat CAP but edged out the number one team in the nation, Douglas College, to meet VIU in the championship match. A win over the Mariners would have meant a trip to nationals in Edmonton, November 10-13. Playing CAP in the first round was familiar territory for the T- Wolves, who lost their first ever post-season game to the Blues last year in the single elimination tournament. This post-season, having clinched the final playoff position available in Pool A, the T-Wolves were considered underdogs once again against CAP, who beat UNBC quite handily 4-2 during the regular season. However, the T-Wolves entered this year’s championship confident they could advance beyond the first-round. Kyle Flannagan, the T-Wolves goaltender, expressed his team’s confidence and focus going into the match, “The CAP game was one that as a team we thought and expected to win although not many other people did”. He also noted that all year the team’s focus has been “to improve every season, so from day one our goal was to beat them and we did’. UNBC knocked out CAP ina 1-0 nail-biter. Daniel Dell was the game’s lone scorer, burying a goal just before regulation ended. Tyson Williams, a third- year midfielder for UNBC, earned Player of the Game honours. Lyle Eggen, UNBC’s fullback, noted the difference in the match, “We were able to limit personal mistakes in all positions and capitalize on the chances we were given’. An even tougher opponent, the defending provincial champions Douglas College Royals, awaited UNBC in the semi-finals. Douglas, the outright favourite to win it all, advanced to the semis with a bye, having won Pool B with a 10-0-2 regular season record. The Royals had UNBC’s number all season beating the T-Wolves 3-1 and 6-1. Confident they would advance easily to the finals, Douglas neglected UNBC’s talent and heart. UNBC jumped on the Blues early, taking the lead fifteen minutes into the first-half on a strike by Kellen Strobl. Down by a goal, Douglas pressured UNBC who managed to hold off the ensuing attack, with Flannagan shutting the door on the Royals offence. Douglas would eventually solve Flannagan in the second-half, scoring at the fifty- fifth minute. Though the Royals continued to create chances, the T-Wolves spoiled their comeback and any hopes at a championship when Rakan Alquwafili netted one late, giving UNBC a 2-1 lead for the win. Eggen accounted for the victory as a total team effort, saying that, “We went out with nothing to lose and all eleven players on our side stuck to the game plan and took responsibility for their job on the field. It was probably the best game we have ever played”. Unfortunately UNBC could not carry its momentum into the finals and VIU put an end to the T-Wolves cinderella season. The Mariners opened the scoring early, forcing the T-Wolves into attack mode. Despite some late chances, UNBC was held scoreless and VIU clinched the provincial title with two late goals, finishing the game with 3-0 victory. Kyle Flannagan was selected as the tournament’s top goaltender and Tyson Williams earned best midfielder. League All-Star awards were also announced and among the list of players from UNBC were Scott Debianchi, Sean Glanville and Tyson Williams. Although disappointed with the final outcome, both Eggen and Flannagan reflected on the team’s success and the promise of the program’s future. Flannagan pointed out that, “not winning was tough after making it that far but the good thing was proving to ourselves that we can make it there (the championships) and build on it next year”. Eggen added, “The success this year is a result from the past four years of the program. Each year the lessons learned from the year before are applied and we improve. We hope that our results will continue to attract new players that want to play on a winning team in a winning program’. With a strong core of experienced players expected to return for one more season, including Flannagan, Dell, Strobl and possibly Debianchi, the T-Wolves can look forward to more chances at a championship and possibly bringing home a banner. the northern & i | entre society safe space -support- resources ® 2