KAMLOOPS – Early pressure paid off for a University of Fraser Valley Cascades men's soccer team that pulled off a 1-0 victory over the host Thompson Rivers WolfPack Friday night.
 
"We didn't have the strongest first half," said WolfPack head coach John Antulov. "I was a little disappointed in how the guys came out, we were a little sluggish and UFV took advantage of it. In the second half we started to get into the game and get going, but that's hard to do when you're going up against a good defensive team."
 
Manpal Brar scored his third of year for the Cascades, with his marker in the 27th minute proving to be the decisive moment of the match.
 
The result was an important one for both teams, as the playoff picture of the West Division of Canada West soccer remains incredibly murky with just two weeks' worth of games left to play.
 
For the WolfPack it was just the second time this season they have lost through their first ten games. Near the top of the table with a record of 3-2-5, the WolfPack will keep their playoff destiny in their own hands despite the loss. Fraser Valley meanwhile, vaulted up the table with the victory. Now holding a record of 2-3-2, the Cascades remain locked in a battle to finish as one of the four teams in the division that will move onto the post-season.
 
The Cascades dominated the early portion of the game and the visitors were rewarded for their efforts in the 27th minute.
 
Fraser Valley pressure caused a turnover deep in the WolfPack side of the field. The ball bounced to David Parfett and he played a perfectly weighted pass to Brar who found the back of the net.
 
The WolfPack ramped up the pressure in the second half but were unable to find an equalizer. A shot from James Fraser that sailed high in the 46th minute and a great cross from Daniel Sagno that just went over the head of Dylan Hooper in the 90th minute book-ended a half that saw resolute defending from the Cascades frustrate the 'Pack attackers.

With the contest being the last the regular season home game of 2021 for the WolfPack, they celebrated Fraser as the lone graduating player from their roster. The product of Penticton has written his name all over the program's record books. He sits third in team history in goals (18) and fourth in points (26) since the program joined Canada West.
 
"Right from the get-go he helped turn this program around," said Antulov. "He has really helped us build to where we are right now and has given us five amazing years. He's been a heart and soul type of guy and hopefully we can keep this season going for him."
 
The WolfPack will have ample time to bounce back from the loss. They are on their bye week next week before heading up to Prince George to finish their season with a pair of games against the UNBC Timberwolves. Fraser Valley meanwhile, will play the final home games of their 2021 campaign when they welcome those very same Timberwolves to Abbotsford next weekend.
 
"I think a few guys are starting to get a little tired, there's a lot of walking wounded so for us we'll probably give the guys a bit of a break and a rest away from each other and just let them recover," said Antulov. "Overall we've played really well, it was a tough game tonight but at the end of the day we've been really good so we just have to maintain that and keep it going."