The UBC Okanagan Heat soccer teams had arguably the hardest start to their season, with back-to-back battles against perennial powerhouses University of Victoria Vikes and the UBC Thunderbirds, at home at 琉璃神社's Nonis Field on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 29-30.
Women
The Heat took on the Vikes in their home-opener on Friday, Aug. 29. Victoria was a Canada West silver-medalist a season ago, and made it into the U Sports Championships.
On Friday, stout defending from the Heat backline, including six saves from Heat's Talia Gagnon led to a 0-0 draw.
Despite a 17-4 shot differential for the visitors, the Heat had the two best chances of the night, set up by Academic All-Canadian midfielder Abigail Taneda.
The fifth-year senior made two impeccable through-ball passes, including the best attempt of the night to rookie Haden Thomas, who was thwarted by Vikes goalkeeper Stefanie Mocnik.
The clean sheet from Gagnon was her sixth, now extending her lead at the top of the school's all-time shutout list.
On Saturday, the U Sports champion Thunderbirds came to town, nursing a 3-0-0 record.
UBC showcased why they are the class of the country, peppering the Heat defense with 20 shots, eight on target, and a 2-0 victory.
Sienna Gibson and Jayda Thompson scored for the Thunderbirds, as the Heat's only shot of the match was a 65th minute attempt from forward Megan Sun.
The loss moves the Heat to 0-1-1 to start the year. They will be back home on Friday, Sept. 5 to battle the Trinity Western Spartans. Kick off is set for 5:30 p.m.
Men
After missing the playoffs for the seventh-straight season, the Heat had their work cut out for them this weekend, playing host to the Vikes and U Sports champion Thunderbirds.
On Friday, the Vikes and Heat played even soccer until the later stages of the second half. Victoria would score the first goal of the night from the leg of Ollie Cameron in the 69th minute. Just 15 minutes later, the Heat would get an equalizer, off the foot of Andrew Matsugu, after a find from hometown rookie Charlie Prefontaine.
In the 87th minute, after a boot away from Heat goaltender Ronan Woodruffe, the Vikes would clinically get the ball back into the offensive zone, before slotting home a goal from Elliot Lupton.
The heartbreaking 2-1 loss was eerily reminiscent of a season ago, when the Heat gave up two goals to lose 2-1 to UBC late in the second half.
Shots were equal throughout, with four each on goal, while Victoria had nine corners to the Heat one in the match.
Looking for a victory, the Heat played the Thunderbirds on Saturday.
After an even first half, with goals from the Thunderbirds Theo Afework and Heat's Prefontaine, the second half was where the defending champions showcased their skill.
Henri Godbout, Eric Lajeunesse and Max Comsia all scored, as they walked away with a 4-1 victory.
UBC dominated the possession and shot statistics, with 29, with 14 on net.
The 10 saves by Woodruffe tied a team record for most in a game.
Next for the Heat (0-2-0) is a trip to Langley to face the Trinity Western Spartans on Friday, Sept. 5. Kick off is set for 7:15 p.m.
