Abbotsford, BC – The UFV Cascades held the U SPORTS No. 4 ranked MRU Cougars to just three shots on target, as the teams played to a scoreless draw on Saturday at Rotary Stadium. 

The result sees the Cascades go to 3-1-2 on the season, while extending their program-best shutout streak to four matches. UFV has now played over 393 minutes since last conceding a goal. MRU meanwhile moves to 4-0-3 at the top of the Canada West Prairie division.

How it happened:
Just 12 seconds into the game, goalkeeper Matheus De Souza and the UFV Cascades set a new program record for the longest stretch of play without conceding a goal, eclipsing the mark set by Ethan Duggan in the UFV goal during the 2019 season.

The Cascades looked to have the better of the chances early in the game, but neither team managed to find a decisive move and the match crossed 45 minutes scoreless. 

The Cascades best chance of the match came in the 60th minute, as Michael Beecroft found some space before curling a left footed strike towards the Cougars goal. However, a terrific diving save from MRU keeper Sjard Strauss saw him tip the ball off the crossbar before seeing it knocked clear.

MRU would find all three of their shots on target within a six-minute stretch. Their best opportunity came in the 63rd minute,  as Chanan Chanda had the ball fall to him in the Cascades box, but his hard shot was parried by De Souza, before the rebound shot from Kwasi Oteng-Frempong was easily caught by the Cascades keeper.

Notable:
The Cascades continue their streak without conceding a goal, having not conceded in their last 393 minutes and 27 seconds played. De Souza and the Cascades have picked up four consecutive clean sheets during that stretch, a new program best.

Quotable:
UFV head coach Tom Lowndes 

"We talked a lot about the first six games. We played UBC, number one in the country, UVIC, number eight in the country, and MRU who's number four. I thought we acquitted ourselves really well in all three of those games, none more so than tonight. Guys bought into the plan, the work rate, and knew we were going to have to weather the storm against a really good team. To hold the number four team in the nation to three shots in 97 minutes was a fantastic performance."

"It doesn't just start with a goalkeeper or the back four or five, but defending from the front with our midfield and strikers and the work rate. Game in and game out we've been getting up for the games against strong teams."

"I have a lot of respect for the program that Ryan [Gyaki] has built there – built them into a powerhouse, so for us to come out and put in a really good performance and show that we can go toe to toe with them is obviously really pleasing."

Next Up:
The Cascades will head on the road next week as they look to keep their run of strong play when the visit the Saskatchewan Huskies on Sunday. The game can be seen live on Canada West TV at 2pm PT.

To keep up with all the action follow the Cascades on social media at @ufvcascades