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Dan O'Connor (UNBC Athletics)

Men's Soccer Krrish Narendra

MSOC: Young TWolves Impress In Opening Night Narrow Setback to TRU

Box Score Friday night at Masich Place Stadium, the UNBC Timberwolves Men's side opened their 2026 Canada West campaign with a hard fought battle, ultimately falling 2-1 to the visiting TRU WolfPack. Despite the result, newcomer Simon Odenthal delivered a masterful performance in the midfield during his Timberwolves debut, earning Mr. Mikes Player of the Game honors.

The match began as a physical, tactical chess match, with neither side registering a shot in the opening ten minutes as they fought for possession. The Timberwolves recorded the game's first real chance in the 13th minute when Luke Graham fired a shot on target, but TRU goalkeeper Matteo Lamon was there to make the save.

Moments later, the Timberwolves high-paced attack broke through. In the 17th minute, UNBC executed a brilliant fast break led by Mehdi Bounaaja. Bounaaja drove the ball up and sent a perfect cross finding a charging James Jordan who calmly slotted it into the open net to give the T-Wolves a 1-0 lead.

TRU responded with heavy pressure. In the 22nd minute, the WolfPack's Ben Finley sent a dangerous shot toward the UNBC net, but Hagon Kim made a heroic, sprawling goal line clearance, kicking the ball up off the post to temporarily preserve the lead. 

However, just under a minute later, TRU found their equalizer when James Rainbird scored off an assist from Lucas Kirnon. 

For the remainder of the half, Jordan controlled the tempo with pinpoint passing, and Odenthal nearly gave UNBC the lead in the 45th minute with a strike that forced a save from Lamon. The teams entered halftime locked at 1-1.

The WolfPack came out aggressive in the second half. UNBC goalkeeper Callum Cuthbert made a sharp save on Kaelin Nguyen in the 53rd minute, but Nguyen found the back of the net exactly one minute later to give TRU a 2-1 advantage.

The Timberwolves pushed relentlessly for an equalizer. Luis Beck narrowly missed the left post in the 60th minute, and Kim fired a shot just high shortly after. Adam Korduner also tested the defense with a strike in the 68th minute. 

At the other end, Cuthbert kept UNBC in the match with a massive save on a Liam Freathy header.

The second half also featured a glimpse into the future for UNBC, as Ryder Rusman and Nicholas Couchman both subbed in to make their Canada West debuts. 

Rusman nearly made an immediate impact, having a dangerous shot blocked in the 81st minute. Despite outshooting TRU 11-9 in the match and fighting through 19 WolfPack fouls, the Timberwolves couldn't find the tying goal before the final whistle.

The Timberwolves will look to secure their first win of the season on Sunday when they return to Masich Place Stadium to host the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) Cascades. Kickoff is set for 2:30 PM.
 
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Players Mentioned

Mehdi Bounaaja

#10 Mehdi Bounaaja

M
5' 6"
3rd
Luke Graham

#6 Luke Graham

D
6' 2"
3rd
James Jordan

#20 James Jordan

M
5' 9"
4th
Hagon Kim

#8 Hagon Kim

D
5' 11"
4th
Adam Korduner

#3 Adam Korduner

D
5' 8"
5th
Callum Cuthbert

#1 Callum Cuthbert

GK
6' 2"
1st
Ryder Rusman

#22 Ryder Rusman

M
6' 2"
1st
Nicholas Couchman

#2 Nicholas Couchman

D
5' 10"
1st
Simon Odenthal

#28 Simon Odenthal

M
6' 0"
1st
Luis Beck

#18 Luis Beck

D
5' 9"
1st

Players Mentioned

Mehdi Bounaaja

#10 Mehdi Bounaaja

5' 6"
3rd
M
Luke Graham

#6 Luke Graham

6' 2"
3rd
D
James Jordan

#20 James Jordan

5' 9"
4th
M
Hagon Kim

#8 Hagon Kim

5' 11"
4th
D
Adam Korduner

#3 Adam Korduner

5' 8"
5th
D
Callum Cuthbert

#1 Callum Cuthbert

6' 2"
1st
GK
Ryder Rusman

#22 Ryder Rusman

6' 2"
1st
M
Nicholas Couchman

#2 Nicholas Couchman

5' 10"
1st
D
Simon Odenthal

#28 Simon Odenthal

6' 0"
1st
M
Luis Beck

#18 Luis Beck

5' 9"
1st
D
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