The UBCO Heat men’s soccer team won their CIS West home opener 2-1 over the University of Fraser Valley Cascades on the right foot of Vernon’s Enzo Paal Friday night at Nonis Sports Field.
“I wanted it really bad,” Paal said postgame, going on to describe the moments leading up to the goal that would break a tense 1-1 tie heading into extra minutes: “Dylan [Abbott] took a free kick, and then Ryan Jerry made a run down the line and crossed it near the post, and I hit it right footed in.”
After UFV tied it in the 78th minute, Heat fifth-year forward Austin Jones of Vernon missed a chance for the winner on a three-on-two minutes later.
Paal helped set up the Heat’s 2-1 victory over the Trinity Western Spartans Saturday night and are now 3-1. He was named Canada West second star of the week.
The women’s team dropped both games over the weekend to UFV and TWU. TWU is ranked No. 1 in the CIS women’s top 10. The Heat fell to 0-2-2.
