UNBC at UBC: Men's Soccer Preview
Canada West Men’s Soccer Preview
UNBC @ UBC
September 24th, 2021 @ 730 PM
September 25th, 2021 @ 730 PM
UNBC Timberwolves (0-2-2)
6th in West Division Standings
4 Goals For
8 Goals Against
Goals Leader: Abou Cisse, Cody Gysbers, Hussein Behery, Kensho Ando: 1 Goal
Assists Leader: Abou Cisse, Kensho Ando: 1 Assist
Points Leader: Abou Cisse, Kensho Ando: 2 Points
Saves Leader: Daniel Zadravec: 25 Saves
Player to watch: Luke Brbot, D
As the Timberwolves backline deals with injuries to starters Cody Gysbers, Mitch Linley, and Maarten Grombein, veteran Luke Brbot is set to shoulder a major load against one of the most dynamic programs in U SPORTS. The Prince George product is a tremendous athlete who thrives in physical matches, and he’ll need to be a steady leader for the Timberwolves against the T-Birds.
UBC Thunderbirds (0-0-2)
5th in West Division Standings
2 Goals For
2 Goals Against
Goals Leader: Jackson Dzikowski, Jackson Farmer: 1 Goal
Assists Leader: Christopher Lee : 1 Assist
Points Leader: Jackson Dzikowski, Jackson Farmer, Christopher Lee: 1 Point
Saves Leader: Bennett McKay: 2 Saves
Player to watch: Thomas Gardner, M
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more decorated Canada West player than Thomas Gardner. Having played just two seasons, the five-foot-nine midfielder has been named 2018 Canada West & U SPORTS Rookie of the Year, 2018 Canada West Player of the Year, 2018 and 2019 Canada West First Team All-Star, and won the 2018 and 2019 Canada West championship. Needless to say, the Timberwolves will need to be aware of where Gardner is on the pitch.
Quotes:
UNBC’s Daniel Zadravec
On the start to the season…
“As a team we have been playing well. It has just felt like we have had some unlucky bounces, unlucky turnovers, and we just haven’t been able to score our chances. But we are still playing well, and I think we are still a stop team.”
On the UBC Thunderbirds…
“I mean, they’re the best in the conference. At least, on paper they are. They play well. They defend well, they attack well, and they press high. They’re just the best overall team in the conference.”
On the mindset this weekend in Vancouver…
“We have played them in the past, and we have played them in preseason as well. We have gotten results against them. We have taken wins, and we have taken points. So, it’s just not getting up too much in our heads mentally, and trusting ourselves to play our game against a good quality team.”
On young Timberwolves stepping up…
“I think the back three and back four, in both games, played well, especially for Jake (Dziwenka) stepping in for Maarten (Grombein), and Luke (Brbot) and Julian (Daduica) having to step up because Cody (Gysbers) is out. So, just trying to step into that role. I think the back three and four have done fantastic. It’s also good to have Anthony (Preston) back. We definitely missed him.”
Milestone Watch
Cody Gysbers needs three games played to reach 50 for his career
Michael Henman needs two games played to reach 30 for his career
Stu Rowlands needs two games played to reach 30 for his career
Abou Cisse needs three games played to reach 30 for his career
Kensho Ando needs one game played to reach 20 for his career
Hussein Behery needs two games played to reach 20 for his career
Luke Brbot needs two games played to reach 20 for his career
Alex Nielson needs three games played to reach 20 for his career
Stu Rowlands needs two goals to reach 10 career goals scored
Owen Stewart needs two goals to reach 10 career goals scored
Anthony Preston needs two points to reach 10 career points
Cody Gysbers needs two points to reach 10 career points
Stu Rowlands needs two points to reach 10 career points
Daniel Zadravec needs two saves to reach 50 for his Canada West career
