UBC Okanagan’s five-match unbeaten streak came to an end on Saturday afternoon at Dinosaur Field.
The Heat men’s soccer team dropped a (1-0) decision to the University of Calgary, who remain undefeated on their home field.
Dinos top goal scorer, Dominik Zuczek, came into the day leading the Canada West in game-winning goals, he did the trick again as he was the only player to find the back of the net on the day.
After a Dinos corner kick sailed long, Dinos forward Derek Brust would make a tremendous effort play to keep the ball in on the end line and pop it back to the middle of the box, allowing Zuczek to head it home.
The goal was all the Dinos would need to take a 1-0 win, improving their record to (5-3-0). UBC Okanagan drop just their second game of the season, falling to (6-2-1), but they still have the most wins in the Pacific Division.
“Every time we play a B.C. team, it’s always a hard fought game,” explained Dinos head coach Brendan O’Connell. “Hard fought” was exactly what the first half was, as neither team managed much in terms of scoring opportunities, and both keepers were sharp, leading to the (0-0) halftime score.
After Zuczek’s goal in the 51st minute, the Heat would get their best opportunity of the game just over 10 minutes later. A Dinos foul just outside the box gave the Heat a good look at the goal, which Spencer Young would put on the net, forcing Dinos keeper Jake Ruschkowski to make a diving stop to preserve the (1-0) lead.
For the Dinos, Nahum Tsegai and Adam Huskic were stellar at the back, holding off the Heat attack all game. The Dinos were able to keep Heat leading scorer Sam McDonald from recording a shot on net.
Ruschkowski made five saves on the day for the Dinos, and picked up his second clean sheet of the season. While Heat keeper Nicholas Reitsma, who leads Canada West in GAA, had three saves.
Calgary will face another stiff test tomorrow as they host the Victoria Vikes on Dinosaur Field, while the Heat will continue east to take on the Saskatchewan Huskies tomorrow at 1 p.m. PT
~ With notes from Dinos Communications
