The UNBC Timberwolves came close, but not close enough on the soccer pitch in Abbotsford on the weekend.
The men's T-wolves suffered a 2-1 loss Saturday and a 3-1 loss Friday to the University of Fraser Valley Cascades in Canadian Interuniversity Sport Canada West men's soccer action.
The Timberwolves fall to 1-4-0 and sixth place in the Pacific Division, while the Cascades improve to 3-3-0 and third place in the same division.
Saturday night, the Cascades opened the scoring after Ryan Liddiard booted a rocket of a shot off an indirect kick in the 43rd minute.
UNBC tied the match around the 58th minute when it was awarded a free kick just outside the 18-yard box.
Third-year midfielder Brett Bobier took the shot and capitalized on the rebound.
The Timberwolves out-shot the Cascades 8-5 but the home side managed to score the winner 20 minutes left in the match on a goal from Harry Owen.
UNBC goalkeeper Ty Venhola stopped eight of 10 shots on goal that he faced.
Friday, T-wolves rookie forward Conrad Rowlands scored in the 35th minute of the first half to draw even with the Cascades.
UFV added another goal late in the second half and in extra time extended the lead by two with another goal to secure the win.
Venhola made nine saves in a losing cause.
UNBC's women's soccer side suffered a 3-0 shut-out loss to the Cascades Saturday and were edged 2-1 Friday.
The T-wolves fall to sixth in the Pacific Division at 0-4-2 while UFV jumps to 5-1 and 15 points for first place in the division.
Saturday, UFV scored twice in the first half and added another in the second half to secure the win.
Friday, both sides traded quality scoring chances without capitalizing on them.
The Cascades still managed to take a 2-0 lead late in the second half until fourth-year striker Sydney Hall was sprung loose in the 82nd minute who booted a shot that careened off of both posts behind UFV's Kayla Kim before finally trickling over the line.
UNBC keeper Jordan Hall made nine saves in the match, while her counterpart Kim made three.
Both UNBC's men's and women's sides return home this weekend where they'll tackle the University of Victoria Saturday and Sunday.
The UVic women are 3-0-1, good for fourth place in the division. The women battle at noon on both Saturday and Sunday.
The UVic men are 3-1 with nine points and sit in fourth spot in the Pacific Division.
The two sides clash at 2:15 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
