VIKES TO BATTLE ALBERTA IN CONFERENCE FINAL

By Mike Tucker

The defending Canada West champion UVic Vikes men’s soccer team has advanced to the conference final after a 2-1 semifinal victory over the no. 5 Trinity Western Spartans in Vancouver.

The no. 9 Vikes will face the Alberta Golden Bears intoday’s Canada West championship, with a berth to the CIS Championship on the line. Because Trinity Western is hosting the national tournament, November 12-15, only one additional spot is up for grabs in the West.

On Friday night, the Vikes had scored before the first minute had expired. William Gye scored off the opening kick-off, beating the Trinity Western ‘keeper on powerful volley to the low post. Cole McFarlane set up the goal after stripping the Spartans defender.

James Rhodes spotted the Vikes a two-goal advantage in the 65th minute. Rhodes hammered home a loose ball, taking the feed from Corey Sanford.

Trinity Western spoiled Canada West all-star ‘keeper Dan Kilpatrick’s shutout bid in the 86th minute. Paul Hamilton, who was announced as the 2009 Canada West Player of the year Thursday night, scored off a free kick to end Kilpatrick’s 373-minute shutout streak.

The game was a rematch of the 2008 Canada West final, which the Vikes won 4-1 at Centennial Stadium. Trinity Western is winless in their last three games.

Today, the Vikes will be in pursuit of their 13th conference title. Alberta, the no. 4 seed from the conference, upset tournament hosts UBC Thunderbirds in the late game. Kick off is 7:30 p.m. in Vancouver.