MSOC: Bears too strong for UNBC in quarter-final win
October 29, 2022
EDMONTON - The Alberta Golden Bears took control on a goal in the third minute and never looked back, topping the UNBC Timberwolves 5-0 to advance to the Canada West Final Four on Saturday, October 29th, 2022 in Edmonton, AB.
With the win, the Bears advance to their first CW Final Four since 2017.
It was David Chung hitting the sheet at the three minute mark, tapping a ball that found its way into the box, bouncing it past a sprawling Daniel Zadravec, sending the crowd at Foote Field into an early frenzy.
Ten minutes later, with the Bears on the counter-attack, the home side found themselves outnumbering the Timberwolves in the UNBC third. A rolling ball passed a pair of marked Alberta attackers and found wide-open freshman Habib Assem, who made no mistake burying the first Canada West playoff goal of his career.
The nightmare half for UNBC continued in the 23rd minute when the Bears were awarded a free kick just outside the box after a questionable hand ball call. David Chung sent a soft bending ball over the top, finding a sliding Rilind Idrizi at the far post to make it 3-0.
UNBC wouldn't get out of the half without conceding another, as Ibrahim Jetishi would gather a loose ball at the top of the box and beat Zadravec with a blast to make it 4-nil.
In the second half, the Timberwolves were able to settle in, creating a number of chances around Bears keeper Chris Ezoua. Canada West leading scorer Michael Henman had a pair of grade-a looks, but put one over the crossbar and the other one wide of the post.
With UNBC pressuring for a gaol to cut into the deficit, Assem eliminated any conversation of a potential comeback, winding his way through the TWolves backline and potting his second of the match.
The Timberwolves showed their character by continuing to apply great pressure, testing Ezoua on a number of occasions and outshooting the Golden Bears 10-2 in the half, but to no avail. When the referee blew his whistle, Alberta had secured a 5-0 victory over the Timberwolves, advancing to the conference's final four.
Despite the one-sided score, the TWolves actually held a 13-12 advantage in shots, and an 8-7 lead in shots on goal.
With the win, the Bears advance to their first CW Final Four since 2017.
It was David Chung hitting the sheet at the three minute mark, tapping a ball that found its way into the box, bouncing it past a sprawling Daniel Zadravec, sending the crowd at Foote Field into an early frenzy.
Ten minutes later, with the Bears on the counter-attack, the home side found themselves outnumbering the Timberwolves in the UNBC third. A rolling ball passed a pair of marked Alberta attackers and found wide-open freshman Habib Assem, who made no mistake burying the first Canada West playoff goal of his career.
The nightmare half for UNBC continued in the 23rd minute when the Bears were awarded a free kick just outside the box after a questionable hand ball call. David Chung sent a soft bending ball over the top, finding a sliding Rilind Idrizi at the far post to make it 3-0.
UNBC wouldn't get out of the half without conceding another, as Ibrahim Jetishi would gather a loose ball at the top of the box and beat Zadravec with a blast to make it 4-nil.
In the second half, the Timberwolves were able to settle in, creating a number of chances around Bears keeper Chris Ezoua. Canada West leading scorer Michael Henman had a pair of grade-a looks, but put one over the crossbar and the other one wide of the post.
With UNBC pressuring for a gaol to cut into the deficit, Assem eliminated any conversation of a potential comeback, winding his way through the TWolves backline and potting his second of the match.
The Timberwolves showed their character by continuing to apply great pressure, testing Ezoua on a number of occasions and outshooting the Golden Bears 10-2 in the half, but to no avail. When the referee blew his whistle, Alberta had secured a 5-0 victory over the Timberwolves, advancing to the conference's final four.
Despite the one-sided score, the TWolves actually held a 13-12 advantage in shots, and an 8-7 lead in shots on goal.