VANCOUVER - The defending Canada West champion UVic Vikes men's soccer team has advanced to the conference final after a 2-1 semifinal victory over the no. 5 Trinity Western Spartans.

The no. 9 Vikes will face the Alberta Golden Bears in Saturday's Canada West championship, with a berth to the CIS Championship on the line. Because Trinity Western is hosting the national tournament, November 12-15, only one additional spot is up for grabs in the West.

On Friday night, the Vikes had scored before the first minute had expired. #William Gye# scored off the opening kick-off, beating the Trinity Western 'keeper on powerful volley to the low post. #Cole McFarlane# set up the goal after stripping the Spartans defender.

#James Rhodes# spotted the Vikes a two-goal advantage in the 65th minute. Rhodes hammered home a loose ball, taking the feed from #Corey Sanford#.

Trinity Western spoiled Canada West all-star 'keeper #Dan Kilpatrick#'s shutout bid in the 86th minute. Paul Hamilton, who was announced as the 2009 Canada West Player of the year Thursday night, scored off a free kick to end Kilpatrick's 373-minute shutout streak.

The game was a rematch of the 2008 Canada West final, which the Vikes won 4-1 at Centennial Stadium. Trinity Western is winless in their last three games.

On Saturday, the Vikes will be in pursuit of their 13th conference title. Alberta, the no. 4 seed from the conference, upset tournament hosts UBC Thunderbirds in the late game. Kick off is 7:30 p.m. in Vancouver.