ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – The University of Victoria Vikes men's soccer team bolstered their playoff hopes at the expense of the Fraser Valley Cascades on Friday evening, Oct. 20, picking up a 3-0 victory at MRC Sports Complex in Abbotsford, B.C.

Michael Baart scored twice, Nick Graham added a single, Paulo Dait notched a pair of assists, and goalkeeper Maxwell Branyik-Gil earned a five-save shutout for the Vikes, who came in needing a result to stay alive in the Canada West playoff race. The Vikes improved to 6-7-1, leapfrogging the UNBC Timberwolves and UBC Okanagan Heat to move into the fourth and final playoff spot in the Pacific Division.

The Cascades, who were mathematically eliminated from post-season contention earlier in the week, fell to 4-8-3.

 "The attitude of the team was spot-on," Vikes head coach Bruce Wilson said. "It was pouring rain (earlier in the day), and we thought well, what's it going to be like? And they came out and played extremely well and worked hard.

"Fraser Valley's a very young team – a lot of their players have graduated, a little bit like us too. It's been a tough year for them, and a tough year for us. But you know what? We're still in with a chance, believe it or not, if we happen to win tomorrow."

The Vikes broke the ice in the 13th minute – Isaac Koch whipped a cross in for Baart, and he rose to head it home with authority.

Both teams had their chances as the half wore on. Branyik-Gil made a great save off UFV's Spencer Williams from close range off a corner, and at the other end, Cascades keeper Alex Skrzeta leaped to deny Baart's drive from the top of the box which was labeled for the top corner.

In the 42nd minute, though, the Vikes doubled their lead on a top-corner strike from Nick Graham. Then, in the 61st, Baart notched his second of the night, getting on the end of Dait's long cross and heading it in from close range.

The Cascades had some promising moments offensively, as evidenced by their 7-1 edge in corners earned. But all too often, no UFV player was able to get a touch on the ball as it was whipped into the box.

Cascades defender Sammy Kajzerek came close to getting his team on the board in the 74th minute, but his header went just over the crossbar. Later on, Kajzerek sent a cross in that Gurmaan Jhaj rose up to head, but Branyik-Gil arrived just on time and plucked the ball virtually off the top of his head.

The Fraser Valley side wraps up its season on Saturday at home vs. the UBC, while the Vikes can lock up a playoff spot with a win at Trinity Western (7:15 p.m.). Games will be available with live, pay-per-view webcast at canadawest.tv and live stats at canadawest.org.

SCORING SUMMARY
UFV: 0 – 0 : 0
UVIC: 2 – 1 : 3
 
GOAL SCORERS:
UFV: None
UVIC: Michael Baart ('13, '61'), Nick Pineda Graham (42')
 
CAUTIONS:
UFV: Spencer Williams (YC, 80')
UVIC: None