The UNBC Timberwolves men's soccer team dropped the first game of an exhibition weekend doubleheader Friday, losing 2-0 to the TRU Wolfpack.
TRU brought a pressure attack from Kamloops and they were rewarded early with a 1-0 lead with a goal from Dion Gouldsborough at the eight-minute mark of the game on the soggy grass at the North Cariboo men's fields.
The T-wolves had multiple offensive opportunities to tie the game but were unable to find the back of the Wolfpack net. UNBC soccer fans were able to catch more than a glimpse of rookies Tofa Fakunle and Jake Vickers for the first time as both offensive players put a lot of pressure on the defence.
TRU extended their lead to two goals at the 75th minute when Kyle Fertile, a fourth-year Wolfpack veteran, found the net behind the T-wolves keeper.
Ty Venhola and Mitch Macfarlane split time in the T-wolves' net, while Travis Froehlich played the entire game for the Wolfpack.
T-wolves head coach Alan Alderson said he liked the way his team performed, despite the loss, as they were able to see some of the new players in action.
"Some of our weaknesses were brought to light, but we are still working hard and have made great strides compared to last season," said Alderson.
In their inaugural season in the Canada West conference of the CIS, the T-wolves finished with a 1-13 record. The Wolfpack are an old rival of UNBC from their days in the PACWEST. The T-wolves open their second season in the CIS next Friday when they host the Saskatchewan Huskies on the North Cariboo men's field at 7 p.m.
The second half of the exhibition doubleheader with TRU goes today at noon at the North Cariboo men's fields.
