A late goal by #Thomas Mallette# helped the UVic Vikes men's soccer team to battle back to tie the Vancouver Island University Mariners 1-1 at Centennial Stadium Aug 30.

Most of the first half of the game was played in the middle of the park. VIU players Romaie Martin and Jared Stephens were able to combine for a few dangerous attacks down the left side, testing UVic goalkeeper #Daniel Kilpatrick#. As the half progressed, the Vikes began to put the VIU defence under a lot of pressure. Mallette was key for UVic, generating two great first-half attempts on net. 

 

Only one minute into the second half, Mallette combined with senior #Miguel Romeo# for a hard strike from well outside the 18-yard box, forcing the VIU goalkeeper to make a save. Minutes later, a scramble in the VIU box led to the ball being knocked out towards Vikes defender #Wes Barrett#, whose shot barreled just over the crossbar. Against the flow, the Mariners were able to get on the board when Chris Arnett sent a kick towards goal from just outside the 18-yard box, and the ball went in just under the crossbar, past Vikes keeper #Elliot Mitrou# to go up 1-0. 

With 15 minutes left, UVic's #David Adams# sent a high ball across the box and Mallette controlled the ball and calmly placed it in the back of the net to tie the game. 

“I was pleased with the way we played. It was a good game for us. We were short about six players today but it gives other people a chance to run around,” said #Bruce Wilson#, head coach of the UVic side. “It's just a pre-season game for us and certainly we wanted to win it. We were strong enough to come back and score and a little bit unlucky not to win it.”

The men's soccer team continues pre-season action on Sept. 4 at Centennial Stadium playing Oak Bay.