Box Score 1 The University of the Fraser Valley men's soccer team posted a pair of wins and a pair of losses on a preseason road trip through Washington state.

The Cascades – gearing up for their Canada West regular-season opener on Friday, Aug. 23 at home vs. UBC – opened the jaunt with a pair of games on the campus of Evergreen State College in Olympia. They sustained a 2-1 loss to the host Evergreen State Geoducks on Wednesday, but bounced back for a 1-0 neutral-site triumph over Tacoma Community College on Thursday. Friday saw the UFV squad drop a 4-1 decision at Peninsula College in Port Angeles, and they wrapped up the journey with a 2-1 victory over Northwest University on Saturday in Kirkland.

"It was a positive trip," Cascades head coach Tom Lowndes summarized. "Results aren't the be-all and end-all in the preseason – we used the trip to try a variety of things out. We tried players in different positions, tried multiple formations, and evened the minutes out. From that standpoint, it was pleasing."

EVERGREEN STATE 2, UFV 1

The Cascades started slowly, and the host Geoducks struck for a pair of goals in the first half. UFV was much better after the break, and Manpal Brar scored in the 63rd minute to cut the deficit in half. But despite carrying the play and outshooting Evergreen State 6-2 over the final 45 minutes, that's as close as the Cascades would come.

UFV 1, TACOMA CC 0

Gurmaan Jhaj, a Canada West first team all-star last season, showed his quality to lift the UFV side to victory. Collecting a through ball, the fifth-year senior slotted a shot into the bottom corner for the lone goal of the game. The Cascades generated other quality chances, most notably sending Atle Koellmel in alone on the Tacoma keeper, but his shot hit the post. Goalkeepers Jackson Cowx, Joban Mander and Ethan Duggan shared the clean sheet.

PENINSULA COLLEGE 4, UFV 1

Lowndes started a youthful lineup at Peninsula College. They got off to a solid start, building an early 1-0 lead after David Parfett's corner was directed into the net by a Pirates defender, but the hosts responded with a trio of goals to go up 3-1 at the half. The Cascades mounted a second-half push but were unable to finish their chances, and the Pirates rounded out the scoring on a penalty kick in the dying minutes.

UFV 2, NORTHWEST 1

The Cascades saved their best for last, turning in their "best game of the trip by far" in Lowndes's estimation. Koellmel opened the scoring early in the 61st minute  – rookie Liam Kelly whipped a ball in from out wide, Brady Weir dummied it, and Koellmel was there for the finish. Kelly got a goal of his own shortly thereafter, lifting a shot over the Eagles keeper on a breakaway. UFV owned an 18-8 edge in shots, and the hosts mustered their lone goal in the final minute of play.

UP NEXT

The Cascades open the Canada West campaign on Friday vs. UBC (7 p.m., MRC Sports Complex), then hit the road for a Sunday tilt with the Victoria Vikes (2 p.m.). All Cascades regular-season and playoff games can be streamed at CanadaWest.tv.