VICTORIA – The battle of two unbeaten teams at the top of the Canada West Pacific Division standings ended with it staying that way, as the University of Victoria men's soccer team and University of the Fraser Valley ended in a 1-1 draw, Sept. 6 at Centennial Stadium.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
UFV strikes first

• The visiting side scored in the fifth minute to take an early 1-0 lead.

Pearse nearly equalizes in the first half

•  A breakaway from Matthew Pearse in the 31st minute nearly equalized the game, but the Cascades goalkeeper got in front of it to make the save and keep his side in front, 1-0.

Weir keeps things even

• In the final seconds of extra time in the first half, a open look from UFV was saved by a diving Callum Weir, who got a hand on the ball to keep it out of the goal and keep the Cascades' lead at just one heading into halftime.

Sagaste ties it

• Javier Sagaste tied things up for the Vikes, firing a free kick from 25 yards out straight to the back of the net to pull the Vikes even, 1-1, in the 81st minute.

Both sides remain unbeaten

• With the game ending in a 1-1 draw, both the Vikes and Cascades remain unbeaten, moving to records of 3-0-2.

FROM THE PITCH - Javier Sagaste
On the game:
"We knew it was going to be a tough game. We didn't play our best, and that kind of happens sometimes. We came back and ended up getting a point, which is big for us. Other games, another day, maybe we play better, but I'm glad we got a point.

On his goal:
"Honestly, I was aiming to go around the wall. It did, but I got pretty fortunate. I know [UFV's] goalkeeper, I've been going against him for many years, and for him to have a mistake like that, I was surprised. I'll take what I can get, especially knowing the quality that he has."

WORTH NOTING

• The Cascades' early goal marked the first time in the 2024 season that Vikes have trailed in a game.
• The Vikes recorded 16 shots to the Cascades' 7, putting eight on target while UFV placed five on net.
• Callum Weir finished with a season-high three saves.
• Matthew Pearse put five-of-six shots on target to lead the Vikes.

UP NEXT
The Vikes face Trinity Western University tomorrow, Sept. 7, at 5:30 p.m. at Centennial Stadium. Get your tickets here or catch the game on Canada West TV.