A record-setting moment of Gurmaagic sparked the University of the Fraser Valley men's soccer team to a stirring 3-2 comeback win over the Trinity Western Spartans on the road Friday evening.
With the Cascades trailing 2-1 midway through the second half, fifth-year forward
Gurmaan Jhaj volleyed home a shot to level the score and simultaneously set a new UFV men's soccer goal-scoring record. His 21st career goal moved him past Sasa Plavsic (2010-2012).
Just three minutes after Jhaj's strike,
Trevor Zanatta netted the go-ahead goal, and the Cascades hung on from there to square their record at 4-4-4 in Canada West play while dropping the Spartans to 7-5-1.
Jehmrode Kahlon also scored for the Cascades, who host TWU on Sunday to complete the home-and-home series (4 p.m., MRC Sports Complex).
"So proud of them," UFV head coach
Tom Lowndes said, lauding his players' gritty second-half rally. "We haven't always gotten the results we deserved this season, but to come back and get a great result at a very tough place to play is fantastic.
"We made a slight tactical change which helped us, and I challenged them at halftime to just go for it and come off the field at the end of the game knowing we'd given everything we possibly could. We battled for our life – we showed real grit and determination, and played as a family. It was fantastic."
Cascades rookie Kahlon opened the scoring in the ninth minute, taking advantage of a TWU midfield miscue to claim possession, moving to his right to elude a pair of Spartans defenders before firing a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner.
But two minutes later, the hosts equalized on a goal by Cody Fransen, and Jake Ruby made it 2-1 Spartans in the 28th when he headed home a free kick.
In the 73rd minute, a Cascades corner kick pinballed its way to Jhaj at the far left side of the penalty area, and he volleyed it home for his fourth goal of the campaign, securing the UFV career scoring record.
"What a time to get it, as well," Lowndes noted. "We needed a spark, and it's a credit to Gurmaan – it's fitting that his record-breaking goal tied it up and gave us the momentum. I'm really happy for him."
Shortly thereafter, Jhaj's free kick was initially cleared by the Spartans, but it came back to him and he sent the ball back towards the box where it was flicked on by
Manpal Brar to Zanatta in full stride, and he tucked a shot inside the right post.
The Cascades still have work to do to secure a playoff berth – they're in fifth place in the Pacific Division, needing to overhaul fourth-place UBC Okanagan (6-5-4) – but Friday's result breathes life into their post-season push.
Â
