Former Clan striker Justin Wallace scored the only goal of the game as Simon Fraser University lost 1-0 to crosstown rival University of British Columbia in an exhibition men's soccer game last Friday at Thunderbird Stadium.
Wallace, in his first season with UBC, scored in the 61st minute to give the Thunderbirds the victory, UBC’s fifth straight win over the Clan.
“We worked our tails off and gave everything we had, we left it all on the field,” said
first year Clan head coach Clint Schneider. “After the game, I looked my guys dead in the eyes and said, ‘football can be an unfair game because we deserved a better result tonight’. Take nothing away from UBC, but I felt we deserved a better fate.”
Wallace found the back of the net after finding open space at the top of the 18-yard box and firing home a low shot that beat the outstretched arms of Clan keeper Brandon Watson.
Wallace last played for the Clan in 2012, the year SFU went 19-2-1 and advanced to the NCAA Division 2 Final Four for the first time. Wallace scored 10 goals and added seven assist in 22 games that year.
“We got caught making a mistake on the back end and Justin Wallace made us pay,” added Schneider. “He scored a lot of goals like that for SFU because he’s a good player and good players punish you when you make mistakes.”
SFU striker Michael North nearly found the back of the net with a header in the 13th minute but trickled wide. UBC goalie Chad Bush robbed North on a second attempt later in the half, which was headed for the top corner.
One of the Clan’s best chances came in the latter stages of the game off a chip into the box from Ryan Dhillon in search of teammate James Fraser inside 15 yards, but Bush intercepted the cross.
With the win, UBC moves to 2-0-2 on the season, while the game does not count on the Clan’s record.
“While we lost the game tonight and we are obviously disappointed, I felt like our group grew together on the pitch and came together as a team,” said Schneider. “This was a great environment to be in and a competitive contest that will help move us forward.”
Watson played the entire 90 minutes in goal for the Clan and made five saves off 11 shots on goal. The Clan directed 14 shots at UBC’s Bush, who made six saves picking up the shutout.
Wallace had a number of opportunities to bury his second of the game for UBC, including a chance in tight that forced the Clan’s Dzenan Bezdrob to make a goal-line clearance.
SFU’s plays two games on the road before returning home for a game against California State University San Bernardino on Sept. 9 at Terry Fox Field at SFU. Game time is 7 p.m.
