Box Score On a blustery afternoon in Kelowna, the UNBC Timberwolves (3-7-2) dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker to the UBC Okanagan Heat (1-8-2), who earned their first win of the Canada West season.
The Timberwolves got goals from Jamie Wildash-Chan and Hagon Kim, while the Heat were powered by a brace from Jaise Shaw and a penalty conversion from Malachi Emerson.
UNBC came out flying, opening the scoring in the second minute when Wildash-Chan rose above the pack to head home a pinpoint cross from the left flank — his fourth of the campaign. Yanni Ntapas made a terrific diving stop minutes later to deny Matteo Clarke and preserve the early lead.
UBCO found the equalizer in the 33rd minute when Shaw corralled a loose ball in the area, cut to his right, and slotted a low shot past Ntapas. Ten minutes later, the hosts were awarded a penalty after a sliding challenge in the box, and Emerson stepped up to convert, putting the Heat ahead 2-1.
UNBC answered just before halftime. After coming close on a free kick, Kim made no mistake moments later, heading in a beautifully placed corner from Wyatt Lyon to level the match at 2-2. With that assist — his sixth of the season — Lyon matched Kensho Ando's single-season program record.
At the break, the teams were deadlocked with four saves apiece.
In the 63rd minute, Shaw completed his brace when a centering pass took a deflection and landed at his feet on the left side, where he buried the eventual game-winner to make it 3-2.
The Timberwolves pressed hard late — James Jordan narrowly missed a header on an open look, and several free kicks tested the Heat backline — but worsening wind and torrential rain made finishing difficult. Despite UNBC's late surge, UBCO held firm to secure the three points.
The loss keeps UNBC in fifth place in the Pacific Division, just outside the playoff picture. They'll look to regroup quickly when they meet the Heat again Sunday at 1:00 pm in the rematch.