VICTORIA - The University of Victoria Vikes men's soccer team drew 2-2 with the Fraser Valley Cascades in the first game of the double-header weekend on Oct. 5 in Chilliwack. The draw sends the Vikes' record to 4-3-2, while the Cascades move to 1-2-4.
BOX SCORE / FULL SCHEDULE
Vikes goalkeeper Elliot Mitrou (Victoria, B.C.) was caught off guard when a mishap in the backfield allowed a Vikes own goal to put the Cascades up 1-0 in the opening five minutes of play. The Vikes turned it around with back-to-back goals by Craig Taylor (Victoria, B.C.) in the 20th minute and Gavin Barrett (Richmond, B.C.) in the 23rd minute.
For the Cascades, fourth-year forward Sasa Plavsic caused the majority of the damage, as he fired seven of Fraser Valley's 13 shots throughout the game. Plavsic scored the Cascades' second goal off a penalty kick awarded in the 83rd minute of play.
Following the early own-goal, the Vikes were on their heals as the Cascades created several rushes up field led by fifth-year captain Craig Robinson and Fraser Valley goal scoring leader Plavsic.
The Vikes rebounded mid-way through the opening half when midfielder Taylor netted his fourth of the season. Minutes later, Barrett scored his third for the season, when the six-foot defender pushed into the box to head in a Craig Gorman (Victoria, B.C.) corner kick. The Vikes entered the break leading 2-1.
Play rallied back and forth as both Mitrou and Cascades keeper Mark Village were forced to contend with 13 and 14 attempts at goal, respectively.
The tie leaves the Vikes third in the Pacific Division of the Canada West standings behind the undefeated UBC (7-0) and Trinity Western (6-0-2). The top three teams in the division will advance to the Final Six playoffs, set to be played Nov. 1-4 by the highest ranked team in league play.
The Vikes will return home and host the Cascades on Oct. 7 at 2:15 p.m. at Centennial Stadium. The game will be broadcast live at http://uvic.canadawest.tv
SCORING SUMMARY
UVIC: 2 - 0 : 2
UFV: 1 - 1 : 2
Victoria: Own Goal (5'), Craig Taylor (20'), Gavin Barrett (23')
Fraser Valley: Sasa Plavsic (83' PK)
