KAMLOOPS- The University of Victoria Vikes have been eliminated from the Canada West playoffs after suffering a 4-1 loss to the Thompson Rivers WolfPack on Oct. 20 in Kamloops, B.C.
The Vikes needed two wins this weekend, as well as some much needed help from UNBC if they wanted to make the playoffs.
"We knew Kamloops was looking for a playoff spot and knew they would put out their strongest team," said Vikes head coach
Bruce Wilson. "They played well. I thought we did okay up until half time. We let a couple of mistakes with corner kicks happen. It will be interesting to see how they do the rest of the way."
The victory keeps the playoffs hopes alive for Thompson Rivers, but will still need a win over a strong UBC squad on Sunday.
"It is a huge game for us, " said WolfPack player Mitchell Popadynetz. "It is always fun to play UBC. Hopefully we win it so it won't be my last Canada West game."
After both teams spent the first 10 minutes feeling each other out, the WolfPack took the lead on a set piece. Off a corner kick, Thomas Lantmeeters headed in an offering off the foot of Canada West player of the year Mitchell Popadynetz. It was Popadynetz's sixth assist of the season.
The Vikes tied it up about 10 minutes after that.
Mackenzie Rigg capitalizing on a pass from
Matteo Ventura. The assist gave Ventura his 12
th point of the campaign.
The second half belonged to the WolfPack and Popadynetz. In the 54
th minute mark, he set up Jan Pirretas Glasmacher off a corner. 10 minutes later, he dished it off to Koffi Nyavor and finished the scoring off a minute later in the 65
thwith a goal of his own.
The WolfPack will close out their regular season tomorrow, Oct. 21 as they entertain the first place team in the Canada West Pacific Division—the UBC Thunderbirds. The Vikes will conclude their 2018 season in Kelowna tomorrow against the UBC Okanagan Heat. Both matches will be webcast live on a pay per view basis on
www.Canadawest.TV.
SCORING SUMMARY
1 2: F
TRU: 1 3: 4
VIC: 1 0: 1
