Prince George, B.C. – The University of Victoria men's soccer team finished its two-game series against the University of Northern British Columbia with a convincing 4-0 win, Aug. 31 at Masich Place.
 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pearse puts the Vikes on the board

• Matthew Pearse put the first goal of the series on the board in the 44th minute, putting the Vikes ahead 1-0 by sending the ball past the UNBC goalkeeper that was charging toward Pearse to try and make the save.

Weir preserves the Vikes' lead to start the second half

• An offensive spurt by the Timberwolves in the 56th minute gave the home side a breakaway scoring chance, but Vikes goalkeeper Callum Weir managed to get a hand on the shot to keep it out of the net and keep Victoria in front, 1-0.

Larson doubles the Vikes' lead with first goal of the year

• Evan Larson scored his first goal of the 2024 season, sending a shallow pass from Mattheus Achadinha to the top centre of the net for the 2-0 Vikes lead in the 68th minute.

Napier-Ganley nets his first as a Vike

• Bringing the Vikes' lead up to 3-0 in the 76th minute, Cole Michel corralled the initial shot rebound and quickly moved it to an open Jack Napier-Ganley in front of the goal. Napier-Ganley sent the ball over the line for his first goal as Vike.

Tugwell header marks first career goal

• Third year defender Archie Tugwell recorded his first goal as Vike in the 85th minute, sending a header past the UNBC goalkeeper to seal the Vikes' win, 4-0.

Michel records point in Vikes debut

• First year Cole Michel made his Vikes debut after being subbed on in the 57th minute, and recorded the assist on Napier-Ganley's goal almost 20 minutes later to notch his first point as a Vike.

FROM THE PITCH - Jack Napier-Ganley
"We knew they [UNBC] were a good team and solid defensively. We put them through a tough 90 minutes yesterday, so our game plan stayed mostly the same today, but we looked at different ball servicing and getting into the area, and it ended up working out. Our counter press won us the ball and created chances for us late in the game. They're a good team, but we were at them for 180 minutes, and in the end I think it paid off."

WORTH NOTING

• The Vikes held the Timberwolves without a shot on goal in the first half for the second-straight night.
• Victoria outshot UNBC 14-4, including 12-2 in shots on goal. UVic put seven of eight shots taken on frame in the first 45 minutes.
• Weir finished the night with two saves in the shutout.
• Pearse's goal marked his fifth of the season, matching his 2023 season scoring total in the fourth game of the year.
• The Vikes' three goals in the second half are the most goals scored in a half by the program since Oct. 28, 2023, coming against Lethbridge in the Canada West quarterfinals. The Vikes netted three goals in the first half en route to a 3-1 win.
• The Vikes remain unbeaten on the year at 3-0-1 following the win, while UNBC moves to 0-3-1 after the loss. 

UP NEXT
The Vikes return to Centennial Stadium to face Fraser Valley Friday, Sept. 6 at 7:15 p.m., and Trinity Western Saturday, Sept. 7 at 5:30 p.m. Get your tickets here or tune in on Canada West TV.