A pair of second-half rallies helped the Trinity Western Spartans earn four points over the weekend and has the men’s soccer team on the verge of clinching a post-season berth.
The Spartans defeated the UVic Vikes 2-1 on Friday night before netting the equalizer in the 54th minute to earn a 1-1 draw with the UBC Thunderbirds the next night. Both games were at TWU’s Chase Office Field and the Spartans are now 8-2-2, good for top spot in the Canada West Pacific Division. With the top four teams qualifying for the playoffs, TWU needs three points over their final four games — or for either Thompson Rivers or the Vikes to lose just one of their remaining six games.
Vaggeli Boucas headed home the tying goal against UBC after the Spartans were down 1-0 at the half.
The Spartans entered the weekend ranked fifth nationally while UBC is ninth.
“Both teams were good and put on a good show. I thought we were a bit unfortunate, but at the same time the game could have gone the other way too,” said Spartans coach Mike Shearon.
“It’s a point and we continue to move on and continue to grow.”
The Spartans had the upper hand in possession, the advantage in shots and shots on goal, but could only muster the one goal.
“This is great for our confidence. Being able to be on the front foot a lot of the game against UBC is a great confidence builder,” Shearon said.
“I thought we created a lot of good chances. The boys did themselves proud tonight.”
The draw also avenged the Spartans 3-0 loss to UBC earlier this season.
Against the Vikes, TWU found itself down 1-0 25 minutes in but Joel Waterman scored in first half stoppage time and Elie Gindo struck in the 63rd minute for the winner.
Andrew Hicks was in goal for both victories, making one save against the Vikes and a pair of stops against the Thunderbirds.
The Spartans have a home-and-home series with the UFV Cascades with the teams playing Friday at Chase Office Field and Sunday in Abbotsford.
