The University of the Fraser Valley men's soccer team won the Keg Spring Cup, the annual nonconference tournament hosted by the Victoria Vikes, over the weekend in the B.C. capital.

The Cascades secured the crown in dramatic fashion, knocking off the Vikes in Saturday's semifinal before topping local rival Trinity Western on penalty kicks in Sunday's final.

"This weekend we got back to being who we are and what we're about," UFV head coach Tom Lowndes said. "I challenged our players to be better defensively and make teams work to get opportunities. We did that Saturday vs. UVic for sure. We were a bit more open (vs. TWU), but there was a great work rate and togetherness from the group."

On Saturday, goals from Mikael Mainella and Will Bundy powered the Cascades to a 2-0 victory over the host Vikes. Jackson Cowx and Logan Mathers shared the clean sheet, with Cowx playing the first half and Mathers the second.

In the final, a Taylor Richardson hat trick highlighted a 3-3 (4-3 in penalty kicks) UFV victory over the Spartans. TWU led 1-0 at halftime, but Richardson equalized on a penalty kick after a Spartan hand ball in the box. The rising senior would strike again to give the Cascades a 2-1 lead, as Manpal Brar flicked the ball on to him in the box for the close-range finish. The Spartans replied with a pair of goals to grab a 3-2 lead, but Richardson equalized in the 85th minute. Will Stuart sent the ball out wide to Mainella, and he whipped a cross to Richardson who slotted it into the bottom corner from six yards out.

The two teams proceeded directly to penalty kicks to settle the stalemate. Mathers – who came on once again at halftime for Cowx – stopped one Spartan shot and had another go off the crossbar, and Karman Buttar's successful attempt from the spot secured the win for UFV. Richardson, Charandeep Rangi and Mainella also converted their PKs for the Cascades.

Afterward, Lowndes lauded the play of Richardson, and noted that fellow attackers Brar, Mainella and Bundy were also highly effective throughout the tournament.

"We moved Taylor up front this weekend and he was a real handful," he said. "When he got his chances, he took them. He was clinical, and I thought all four of our attackers were dynamic over the weekend.

"Winning this tournament a positive step. I haven't won it in my time here, apart from my first year as an assistant coach. It shows what we're capable of, and hopefully sets us up for a really good fall."