In sweltering 31 degree weather, the UFV Cascades and UNBC Timberwolves battled it out, with the visitors from Fraser Valley pulling out a tough 3-1 victory on Sunday in Prince George.
With both teams seeking their first win of the Canada West campaign, the TWolves and Cascades traded early momentum. UFV’s Madison Telmer and Dessa Peterson each had opportunities to get the Cascades on the board, but Brityn Hinsche was excellent to keep the sheet clean.
The visitors continued to apply pressure, but it was the keeper from Williams Lake who stood tall in the Timberwolves net. UNBC would find some success up the wings, using freshman Fia Cameron’s deceptive speed to generate an attack, but Addison Chen was solid for Fraser Valley.
Just three minutes into the second half, UFV found the scoresheet. Off a turnover 35 yards from the goal, Brooklynn Franzon sent a ball towards the TWolves net, going up and over an outstretched Hinsche, who had been out playing the ball with her feet. That goal marked the first of Franzon’s career and put the Cascades up 1-0.
Something clicked for the Timberwolves from there, as they began to dominate possession and test Chen with a number of strong scoring looks.
Sarah Lepine had two of her chances roll just wide of Chen and the post, while Kjera Hayman looked to have a corner labeled on a pair of occasions, only to see the ball sail north of the crossbar.
Eventually that pressure would pay off, when a Kalista Kirkness corner kick found the outstretched leg of senior Claire Turner, beating Chen to knot the game at 1-1.
The sides would continue to trade momentum and control, until a foul call outside the box set up a Jenna Mele free kick in great field position. The senior’s kick would lead to a goalmouth scramble, as the ball danced along the line before being deposited by Kiana Langston to give UFV the lead once again.
Neil Sedgwick’s team would need to up the aggression and press the Cascades, seeking another equalizer. However, that leads to less defenders, and led to an insurance marker for UFV in the 91st minute. Halle McCambley would seize possession after an errant clearance and beat an outstretched Hinsche to make it 3-1.
The victory was the first in the career of UFV first-year coach Ari Adams, and the first for Cascades keeper Addison Chen.
With the victory, UFV moves to 1-1-0, and will take on Trinity Western next week. The 0-2-0 TWolves have a bye week, before visiting TRU in September.