The UNBC Timberwolves (yellow) attacking the TRU goal during Canada West men’s soccer action Saturday. Photo 250News

Prince George, B.C. – There is one thing certain when the UNBC Timberwolves face the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack on the soccer pitch.  They are bound to have a spirited match.

That definitely was the case in the 2017 Canada West men’s soccer season opener for both sides on Saturday.  The two teams resumed their intense rivalry in battling to a 1-all draw at the North Cariboo Senior Soccer fields.

The Wolfpack were first on the board at the 9:29 mark of the opening half when Mitchell Popadynetz scored after TRU was awarded a questionable free kick deep in UNBC territory.  However, the Timberwolves evened things in the second half when Gordon Hall converted a loose ball off a corner kick at 61:56.

The T-Wolves played the final 15 minutes with ten men after midfielder Josh McAvoy was shown a red card in the 75th minute.  However, the home side held off TRU to earn the draw.

The Wolfpack had 5 shots of goal in the match, 4 of them by Popadynetz.  UNBC had 8 shots at the keeper, 3 from the boot of Stuart Rowlands.

The clubs will battle again today, 1 pm at the NCSSL fields.