Griffins unable to recover from first-half deficit due to slow start in loss to UFV
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 |
|
|
2 | 1 | 3 |
Team Stats
UFV
| Game Statistics | MacEwan University | UFV |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 12 (7) | 7 (5) |
| Saves | 2 | 7 |
| Fouls | 16 | 14 |
| Corner Kicks | 4 | 4 |
| Offsides | 1 | 1 |
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – In a physical, high-event match filled with a plethora of penalty kicks and cards, the MacEwan Griffins fell behind early and weren't able to catch the UFV Cascades, falling 3-0 on Friday night.
Reigning Canada West player of the year Mateo Brazinha scored twice – including on a 23rd minute PK – while Michael Beecroft's 9th minute tally stood up as the winner.
"We had a slow start, being a bit naïve and not executing what's asked and what's trained in over the week," said Griffins head coach Adam Loga. "We found our footing after we realized we can't really go rogue – we have to follow the game plan. And we saw a big change in the performance from there on out."
With the result, the Griffins dropped to 0-4-2 in the Canada West standings, while UFV improved to 3-1-1.
After they found their footing, the Griffins probably deserved a better fate, finishing the contest by outshooting UFV 12-7 (7-5 on goal), but they couldn't find a way to beat UFV goalkeeper Matheus De Souza.
"I think it's a little bit of the situation," said Loga of the shot total. "When they went up two, it's probably a bit natural for them to take their foot off the gas mentally and play a bit more of a block, which allows us to have more of the ball. But we knew they'd come out and press early and they did. We knew they'd transition well into attack, which they did. And that's kind of where they got the two goals.
"Outside of a slow start and being a bit naïve out of the gate, I thought we had the better of them, to be quite honest."
The problem was they just couldn't score. MacEwan's best chance came off an 89th minute PK by Ali Yildiz after the Cascades were whistled for a hand ball, but his low right penalty attempt was stopped by the diving keeper.
Griffins goalkeeper Oleksandr Popravka also stopped another UFV PK in the 63rd minute, when he laid out to his left to deny Bhagvir Sidhu.
Both teams played the final 15 minutes and change with 10 men apiece after both MacEwan's Jakob Sievert and UFV's Adam Szymanski were ejected with straight reds in the 75th minute.
The Griffins saw five other players receive yellow cards, while UFV also had another two.
UFV salted the game away in the waning seconds when De Souza's booming goal kick was headed onto the boot of Brazinha, sending him in alone for a tap in.
Loga singled out Alain Sitchet for his fine play during the contest as he subbed in for striker Macky Mahfouz at half-time and was a difference-maker for the team in the second half.
"Alain did very well," he said. "Macky's obviously playing with some knocks, so for him to go in and fill his shoes, it was great to see some depth creep to the top. He definitely led the front line well – a lot of tenacity. He's just a train. Puts guys under, works hard, does what's asked."
MacEwan will need to regroup quickly as they visit Trinity Western on Saturday (8:15 p.m. MT, Canada West TV).
"The result wasn't great, but I think the last 75 minutes definitely proved that if we can execute what's asked, we're going to be a tough team to beat," said Loga. "We need to continue to push for 90 minutes and try to execute right out of the gate."
