The UNBC Timberwolves played their gameplan to near-perfection against the top-ranked team in the Canada West, coming away with a 1-1 draw with the UBC Thunderbirds, September 28th in Vancouver, B.C.

Jora Saran had a good first half for the hosts, leading to a well-placed free kick by the UBC left back in the 25th minute that almost led to the opener in this back and forth game. Saran’s left-footed set piece to the left of Timberwolves’ goalkeeper Rob Goodey was parried for a corner.

UNBC tried to press after all the chances generated by the home team, with themselves creating numerous opportunities on the counter attack only committing a few men forward on the ball. This would allow the play to flow through the wings for the Timberwolves, leading to the first goal of the game, a well-taken strike by UNBC all-time leading scorer Bartolillo.

Leftback Aidan Way played an excellent ball to the feet of Bartolillo, who did the rest. He dribbled past UBC midfielder Karn Phagura, firing one instantaneously from 25 yards out, finding the bottom corner inside the goalpost to the right of a diving UBC ‘keeper Jason Roberts to make it 1-0 for the T-Wolves in the 38th minute of play.

The visitors took the 1-0 advantage into halftime.

In the 79th minute with the ball still in the UBC half, an off-the-ball incident between T-Birds forward Caleb Clarke and Timberwolves defender Conrad Rowlands resulted in a red card for Clarke who was influential in his team’s attack going forward prior to his sending off.

UBC now had 11 minutes to equalize with 10 men and keep their incredible run of form going to start the season.

The T-Birds made their way into UNBC territory in the 81st minute, leading to another UBC corner from Verhoven. The third-year Thunderbird delivered in the set piece, that was flicked home by Shumbusho for his second of the season after a scramble tying the game at 1-1.

That would be the last real threat for either side as both squads just held the ball with minimal chances going forward.

After a highly contested 1-1 game, UBC and UNBC rematch on Sunday at Thunderbird Stadium with kickoff slated for 1 p.m. PT.