Victoria, BC – Manpal Brar got the UFV Cascades on the board in second half stoppage time, but goals from Jimmy Steel, Aiden Grew, and Javier Sagaste gave the University of Victoria Vikes the 3-1 victory on Sunday.
How it happened
After receiving a pass from Sagaste near the top of the box, Steel dribbled in to take a shot right of the penalty spot, sending it to the back left corner of the net for a 17th minute goal to put the Vikes ahead, 1-0.
Cascades keeper Jackson Cowx made a fantastic double save in the 34th minute to keep his team within one. First turning aside the shot from Grew, before denying Kaelan Cooke on the rebound.Â
Victoria doubled their lead in the 51st when a Jordan McKinty cross found the head of Grew, who nodded it across the line.
Cowx made another fine double save in the 60th minute stopping a long-range effort from Sagaste before smothering the rebound from Remi Barbot. A collision with Grew after securing the ball forced the Cascades goalkeeper to leave the game, and rookie Kody Torrance stepped in to make his debut for UFV.
Just moments later the visitors had a chance to cut the lead back to one, but a volley off the foot of Kadir Yagci was blocked by a Victoria defender.
The Vikes were awarded a penalty in the 88th minute, and Sagaste stepped up to bury it past a diving Torrance to give the hosts a three-goal lead.Â
A 90th minute shot from Mateo Brazinha tested Vikes goalkeeper Callum Weir, who did well to tip it over the bar. However, the pressure from the Cascades would pay off moments later, as they were given a penalty kick of their own two minutes into stoppage time. Brar made no mistake blasting it down the middle for his first goal of the season and spoiling the clean sheet.
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Quotable
Cascades head coach Tom Lowndes:
"I think in the first half we were too tentative, we struggled to defend critical areas of the field, and conceded a goal that we want to do better on. It just wasn't the same level of fight that we had on Friday night, but I thought we adjusted well in the second half. We conceded another not great goal five minutes in, but after that we've woken up and created some chances and kind of taken over."
Cascades head coach Tom Lowndes on Brar's goal:
"I'm pleased for Manny, I think he deserved it. He's worked hard this weekend to get into areas, and he's shown some good leadership qualities, and he's going to have to now going into another tough couple of away games next weekend."
Cascades head coach Tom Lowndes on the impact of players off the bench:
"I thought Kadir [Yagci] and
Roland Mansell came in and gave us energy and gave us a different look. There is going to be opportunities now with guys that are battered and bruised, for other guys to come in. I think we have a deep squad, so there will guys that have wanted opportunities that will get the chance to step up, and hopefully they will be up to the task."
Where they sit
UFV falls to 1-3-0 this season, while Victoria improves to 3-0-1 on the year. The Cascades now head to Alberta to take on the University of Alberta Sept. 16, and Mount Royal University on Sept. 17.
Catch every game of the Cascades season live on Canada West TV.Â
