VICTORIA - The University of Victoria Vikes men's soccer team ended the Alberta Golden Bears winning streak on Sept. 28 at Centennial Stadium. Second-year midfielder Craig Gorman (Victoria, B.C.) converted on a penalty kick to boost the Vikes over the No. 1-ranked CIS team.
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The Vikes and Bears played to a scoreless first half despite both teams having dangerous opportunities. In both ends, the goalkeepers did their part, as Vikes net minder Elliot Mitrou (Victoria, B.C.) put up five saves on six shots, while in the other end veteran keeper Jay Vetsch made two very important saves on the Vikes' five shots.
"Alberta is always a good team and very organized," said Bruce Wilson, head coach of the Vikes men. "I thought we played really well and give credit to us. We have a couple of bad results lately but not necessarily bad games."
First half play edged slightly in favour of the Bears, as physical play from veteran defenders Osmo Bimba and Scott Gilroy proved to be tough for the Vikes to break past.
The Vikes had their best chance in the 17th minute when Cameron Stokes (Richmond, B.C.) crossed a ball from the right side to Craig Gorman, who made great contact and volleyed the ball on target. The shot forced a quick reaction out of Vetsch, whose touch directed the ball hard off the cross bar.
Play continued in both ends as Stokes, Gorman and midfielder Cam Hundal (Terrace, B.C. ) continued to run the Alberta back line but were unable to capitalize. In the other end, a number of offensive threats led by veterans Marcus Johnstone and Zenon Markevych continued to challenge Vikes defender Bobby Eng (Richmond, B.C.), David Adams (Surrey, B.C.) and Gavin Barrett (Richmond, B.C.).
Following the scoreless first half, the Vikes came out with some speed led by Hundal. In the 50th minute, Hundal forced Johnstone to foul and earn a yellow caution. Less than four minutes later, Hundal was hauled down in the box by Alberta's Niko Saler. Saler received the caution and the Vikes went to the penalty spot, where Gorman made no mistake to give the fives the go-ahead 1-0.
Both teams continued to press each other but Gorman's goal remained the lone tally on th eboard despite more than six minutes of added time being played at the end regulation time.
"It's a huge win after four games of dropped points," said Vikes keeper Mitrou, who earned his first shut out of the season. "To win at home against the No. 1-ranked team in the country is huge for us. Being on the road definitely takes its toll on us, energy wise, so being at home is one of the biggest advantages we could ask for."
The defending national champions become the first team in the 2012 Canada West season to serve the Golden Bears a loss and improve to 3-3-1, while the Bears drop to 5-1-0.
The Vikes will face the Saskatchewan Huskies tomorrow, Sept. 29 at 7:15 p.m. at Centennial Stadium. The Huskies drew 2-2 in Friday action with Fraser Valley and are currently 5-0-1.
The game will be broadcast live at http://uvic.canadawest.tv
SCORING SUMMARY
1st - 2nd : 3rd
UVIC: 0 - 1 : 1
ALB : 0 -0 : 0
Victoria: Craig Gorman (PK 54')
Alberta: N/A
