VICTORIA, B.C. - Taking on fellow varsity rivals the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, Nov. 10 in Vancouver, B.C., the University of Victoria Vikes gave up a first half lead of 2-1 in order to eventually lose the match 5-3, despite a hat trick from rookie Graeme Carswell (Tsawwassen, BC). 

FULL SCHEDULE / ROSTER

The visiting Vikes got off to a slow start as they gave up several penalty corners early in the opening half. Fortunately for the Vikes, keeper Davis Robertson (Vancouver, B.C.) was on fire and saved a number of shots to hold the score at 0-0. A drag flick labeled for top corner was heroically deflected away from net by postman Derek Wiggins (Vancouver, BC), in his first game back after being sidelined with a concussion. 

Despite the Thunderbirds' run of the play, the Vikes were first to get on the board as Carswell took a long run down the right sideline to eventually drive baseline and cross the ball to a waiting Liam Taaffe (North Vancouver, BC). The Thunderbirds' keeper made the initial save but Carswell buried the rebound. 

Ten minutes later Gavin Titley (Vancouver, BC) earned a penalty corner for the Vikes and with a drag flick Carswell notched his second goal of the game to put the UVic men up 2-0. The Thunderbirds came back with a vengence and scored a field goal moments later to make it 2-1. Closing out the first half, Titley made another fantastic play as he just barely missed the net on a diving deflection.

Again, the Vikes were slow to pick it up in the second half and UBC capitalized as they scored two goals in the first five minutes to go up 3-2. Piling on the pressure, the Vikes attempted to swing the momentum in their favour but were left susceptible to counter-attack and the Thunderbirds scored twice in less than two minutes. Now winning the game by three with 20 minutes left, UBC played a more conservative style and the two teams continued to trade chances with neither side conceding a goal. 

With two minutes to go, the Vikes earned a penalty corner and were able to convert the opportunity with an incredible third goal by Carswell, the only Vikes' hat trick since 2010. However, it was too little, too late and at the final whistle the score remained at 5-3.