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UNBC Timberwolves men's soccer lose emotional, frustrating game to UBC

A number of questionable calls frustrated UNBC coaching staff and players
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It was a night filled with emotions for the UNBC Timberwolves. (via Jess Fedigan)

Tensions were flaring last night at Masich Place Stadium during a 2-1 loss for the Timberwolves with UBC in town.

Things started out well for UNBC with Joel Watson sending Stu Rowlands off to the races. Rowlands would get around UBC keeper Jason Roberts before netting his fifth goal of the year in just six games to put the home side up 1-0. 

“We just couldn’t deal with the ball over the top,” UBC’s Daniel Kaiser said postgame. “We didn’t expect how fast they would come out. We were caught a little flatfooted at first, and they came out firing. It has been a problem for our team, conceding goals early.”

UBC would put the pressure on after that with a slew of free-kicks and corners, with one chance coming in the 14th minute when Ryan Arthur rung one off the post off a corner behind Timberwolves goalkeeper Daniel Zadravec. 

Owen Stewart would have a marvelous chance in the 36th minute when he was looking to chip his shot over Roberts but put it just over the crossbar with disbelief on his face.

The Thunderbirds would have a glorious chance themselves just minutes later when Victory Shumbusho hammered a shot towards Zadravec, who stood tall making a gorgeous stop.

Controversy would strike minutes later when a referees decision would upset UNBC's coaching staff and bench.

Prince George product Anthony Preston was sent off after receiving his second yellow of the night, which left UNBC down to 10 men for the rest of the match.

Before being given a red, UBC players were shouting at the ref that it was Preston's second yellow of the match after a yellow was given to someone else originally. The ref would questionably reverse his decision, which irked the home side's bench and coaching staff. 

“Our mindset was kick them when they’re down, almost,” added Kaiser. “Just keep going. We were under their skin a little bit, so we had to keep going.”

Another referee controversy would strike just minutes later when UNBC's Demian Dron looked to have played the ball first before contact was made with a Thunderbird attacker in the box. 

The referee decided it was a penalty kick which Kerman Panu would make no mistake with to give UBC the 2-1 lead, to the dismay of Timberwolves head coach Steve Simonson, who was given a warning for his frustrations boiling over by the fourth referee.

“Guys were frustrated because there were some calls not going our way,” UNBC’s Joel Watson said about the officiating post-game. “He got ball, the ball went out. I don’t see why he called it.”

UBC would hold their ground, earning a 2-1 win and improving to 6-1-1 on the year where they sit first atop the Pacific Division with 19 points. 

UNBC dropped to 4-5-1 on the year, placing them in last in the division currently with 13 points. 

“There are many positives. One, we can play with 10 men against the very best and still attack and press,” said Timberwolf Jonah Smith after the match. “Two, we can create chances even when we are defending low, and number three, our backline can deal with stress and defend in tough situations.”

The two squads will be back at it tomorrow (Sept. 29) at Masich Place Stadium with kickoff scheduled for noon.