OSHAWA, ONT –
Luke Norman scored twice and
Bennett McKay posted a three-save shutout as UBC overpowered McGill 3-0 in a U SPORTS men's soccer semifinal showdown dubbed the "Battle of the Birds," at Vasos Field on Friday.
The Thunderbirds punched their ticket to Sunday's gold medal game against the No.2 Montreal Carabins, while the fifth-seeded Redbirds will confront No.6 York for bronze.
UBC, which improved their overall record to 16-1-3, made their presence felt early as Norman opened the scoring just three minutes into the match, assisted by
Joven Mann. A miscue by the Redbirds allowed Mann to collect the ball, thread it through a pair of defenders across to Norman who hooked the ball past a challenge from goalkeeper
Ludocyk Ciociola.
Despite a valiant effort, McGill struggled to penetrate UBC's defence, managing only seven attempted shots throughout the game. UBC maintained pressure, doubling their lead shortly after halftime when
Oliver Herbert snuck a low shot past Ciociola in the 47th minute. Mann set up the play with a pass across to Herbert whose attempt from 15 yards out found the Redbirds' keeper but still managed to slip between his legs and slowly roll across the goal line.
Less than four minutes later, Norman struck again, with his fourth goal in just five U SPORTS championship games. This time it was a right footed strike off the right post and in to give the T-Birds a commanding 3-0 lead. The play began with yet another Redbirds turnover as
Henri Godbout pounced on the ball near midfield.
While McKay wasn't overly challenged in the victory, the veteran keeper came up with a spectacular save in the 72nd minute, getting a paw on a
Mujtaba Mirhasan header from close range, keeping the clean sheet intact.
The Thunderbirds had a 15-7 advantage in attempted shots as Ciociola recorded five saves in a losing cause for McGill.
Norman was named player of the game for UBC, while McGill honours went to freshman defender
Ibraham Chami.
Now guaranteed a U SPORTS medal finish for the third consecutive year, the T-Birds have a crack at their first gold since 2013. That chance comes against what has become a familiar championship tournament opponent for the T-Birds who have come across the Carabins now for the third straight year and third time in the last six.
The Redbirds, who own a 10-6-4 record overall, will play York, the OUA finalists, for bronze on Sunday at 11 a.m. This is the team's 22nd lifetime appearance at Nationals since the tourney was initiated in 1970. McGill owns a 21-24-5 lifetime record at Nationals, winning three gold medals (1981, 1982, 1997), four silvers and one bronze.
All tournament games are
streamed on CBC digital platforms in English, and RadioCanada.ca/Sports, ICITou.TV and usports.ca in French.
BOXSCORE
SCORING SUMMARY
FIRST HALF
- UBC: 2:32 - Luke Norman (Joven Mann)
SECOND HALF
- UBC: 46:33 - Oliver Herbert (Henri Godbout)
- UBC: 51:17 - Luke Norman (Henri Godbout)
Official championship website
SOURCE
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
CELL:
514-983-7012
E-MAIL:
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca
