Abbotsford, BC - Taylor Richardson scored a stunning 97^th minute goal to pull the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades level for a 3-3 tie with the visiting University of Alberta Golden Bears on Friday night.

????? MSOC FINAL | Never a dull moment in @CanadaWest ??????

Taylor Richardson scores an absolute screamer into the top corner to secure a point for the Cascades!!! ??????

?? @goufv 3
?? @BearsandPandas 3#weclimbweconquer pic.twitter.com/vdWXE8XsfE
— UFV Cascades (@UFVCascades) September 24, 2022
 

With the draw UFV moves to 2-4-1 on the year, while Alberta remains undefeated this season at 3-0-5. 

The Golden Bears opened the scoring in the 34^th minute as Habib Assem finished off a feed from Janko Vong. 

UFV responded just before the half time whistle, as Manpal Brar managed to get loose in the box, and after an initial shot was saved the ball rebounded back off Brar and trickled across the line. 

????? MSOC | 45' It doesn't matter how it goes in the net...

Manpal Brar levels the score for the Cascades just before the half!

?? @goufv 1
?? @BearsandPandas 1#weclimbweconquer pic.twitter.com/nH4BqfwxAU
— UFV Cascades (@UFVCascades) September 24, 2022
 

The Cascades struck first in the second half, as Ivan Mejia created some space in midfield and found Jeevan Dhaliwal streaking into the box. His shot was saved, but the rebound found its way to Richardson who smashed it home for his first of the campaign.

????? MSOC | 57' 

Taylor Richardson gives the Cascades the lead with his first of the year!

?? @goufv 2 
?? @BearsandPandas 1#weclimbweconquer pic.twitter.com/3AaMM3qnLD
— UFV Cascades (@UFVCascades) September 24, 2022
 

Ibrahim Jetishi squared the match for the Golden Bears in the 67^th minute, finishing it off the left post after a pair of incisive passes cut through the UFV lines. 

Alberta was not done there, as Garry Onyejelem earned his team a penalty, and David Chung made no mistake blasting the PK into the UFV goal in the 74^th minute. 

Just four minutes later the Cascades were awarded a penalty of their own after a scramble in the box. Ivan Mejia stepped up to take it, but saw his attempt saved by Alberta goalkeeper Chris Ezoua. 

Jetishi found himself in trouble in the 81^st minute, as the Golden Bears player was shown a second yellow card for a mistimed challenge.

The Cascades pushed to find an equalizer against the 10-man Alberta squad, and it was Richardson again who would become the hero. He gathered the ball at the top of the box in the 97^th minute, and lasered a left footed shot into the top-left corner to salvage his team a point on the night. 

"It was a nail biter right until the last minute. I wasn't really thinking much, just had to touch and get it out of my feet and get the shot off and it turned out pretty well" said Richardson post-game. 

"It's good to get the monkey off my back and get a couple goals in. The boys had a lot of fight today. They found me in the right spaces and I got the ball in the net."

The Cascades are back in action next week as they visit UBC Okanagan on Friday, and Thompson Rivers University on Saturday. 

"It will be another tough weekend" Cascades head coach Tom Lowndes noted about the schedule next week, "They are two tough places to play and we are going to have to be up for the fight again."