It came later than expected and wasn't the result they wanted, but the TRU WolfPack men's soccer team finally got their season underway with a 1-0 loss to the University of Fraser Valley Cascades yesterday.
The team was eager to take the field after their Canada West season opener was postponed two days in a row over the weekend. Coupled with the cancellations of most of their preseason games due to air quality and the team had a lot of pent-up energy but not a very polished finish. Despite getting 16 shots, including seven on net, the WolfPack couldn't break the goose egg.
"It’s been a while we played," said head coach John Antulov, according to TRU's sports information department. "There was a little bit of rust in our game especially going forward and attack. I thought defensively we were solid. We made one little mistake at the back there. Kudos to them. They battled well. They are a well-organized team and tough to break down. I thought their keeper made three big saves.”
The Cascades broke the scoreless ties just after the start of the second half when substitute Ryan Donald put home a rebound off a free kick.
"We had a lot of chances," said defender Harry Coles, according to TRU's sports information department. "But it doesn’t mean much if you can’t get one in. I thought their keeper made two superb saves. We need to bury more of our chances in the top third of the park."
The WolfPack will have a chance to get back in the win column next weekend when they host the UBC Okanagan Heat Aug. 31 at Hillside Stadium, starting at 7 p.m.