Vikes will play for gold

Victoria, BC – The University of Victoria men’s soccer team stunned the top-seeded University of British Columbia in the semifinals of the U SPORTS Championships to advance to the gold medal game. The Vikes beat the Thunderbirds 1-0 in extra time, punching their ticket in front of a lively home crowd on Nov. 13 at Centennial Stadium.
 
Vikes fended off a Thunderbirds attack.

• The Thunderbirds were on their front foot for most of the regular-time action. The defensive unit of Fin Tugwell, Archie Tugwell, Aiden Grew, and Alex Moody displayed the toughness to withstand the attack while remaining composed. The Thunderbirds outshot the Vikes 15-7, with 7 shots on target.
• Callum Weir displayed yet another brilliant performance as he made six saves on the way to his second consecutive clean sheet in the Championship. Weir’s shutout was helped out by a highlight defensive save by Alex Moody as he cleared UBC’s best scoring attempt off the line with no one left to beat.

 
Lupton subbed in and capitalized.

• Elliot Lupton subbed in for the Vikes at the beginning of the overtime period, looking to provide a spark off the bench. Lupton found himself in the right place at the right time when Callum Weir’s goal kick flipped the field, and the Thunderbirds defender misplayed it. The long ball bypassed the UBC backline and put Lupton in the box with only the goalie to beat. Lupton made no mistake as the Vikes capitalized on the first error either side had made all game.
• The home crowd and Vikes’ players erupted as their goals of playing for gold on home soil looked within reach.
• UBC threw a last-ditch attack at the Vikes, but Weir and the defensive unit stood their ground to see the game through. The Vikes knocked off the Canada West Champions and number one seed in a season-defining win for Larry Stefanek and team

Notables

• Fin Tugwell was named Nike Player of the Game for his defensive efforts in shutting down the Thunderbirds.

 
The Vikes will now advance to play the University of Montreal for the U SPORTS gold medal on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. in front of their home crowd at Centennial Stadium.