Guitouni's hat trick gives Vikes 3-1 win over UNBC

VICTORIA – The University of Victoria men's soccer team defeated the University of Northern British Columbia, 3-1, Sept. 5 at Centennial Stadium following a hat trick performance from Yassin Guitouni.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Guitouni records first half brace to put Vikes in front

• Awarded a penalty shot after Matthew Pearse was taken down in the box in the 24th minute, Yassin Guitouni stepped to the spot to take the shot for the Vikes. Though the UNBC keeper initially got in front of it, the deflection still carried over the line and put the Vikes ahead, 1-0.
• In the 39th minute, Takin Keshavarz stole the ball back for the Vikes and broke away, finding Guitouini near the top of the box who fired off his shot for the 2-0 Vikes lead.
• The Vikes held the 2-0 lead through 45 minutes of play.

Second half scoring opens with hat trick

• Opening the second-half scoring, Yassin Guitouni completed the hat trick off a pass from Matthew Pearse to make it 3-0 for the Vikes in the 47th minute.

UNBC scores, Vikes close out win

• Though UNBC scored off a corner in the 61st minute, the Vikes held strong to finish off the game and seal the win, 3-1.

WORTH NOTING

• The hat trick marks the first for Yassin Guitouni in his Vikes career, while it also marks his first multi-point performance as a Vike.
• Guitouni now matches his career season-high goal scoring total of three, set during the 2023 season.
• Matthew Pearse leads the Vikes with two assists.
• Callum Weir recorded three saves in net for the Vikes.
• UVic out-shot the Timberwolves 17-9, including an 11-4 edge in shots on goal.
• The Vikes move to 4-0-1 on the year with the win, while UNBC drops to 3-2-0 with the loss.

UP NEXT
The Vikes and Timberwolves face off for a second time tomorrow, Sept. 6 at 7:15 p.m. at Centennial Stadium. Get your tickets here or catch the game on Canada West TV presented by BioSteel.