Cascades keep rolling with big win over Heat

Abbotsford, BC – A Kevin Mailand goal just seconds into the game, and second half tallies from Michael Beecroft and Mateo Brazinha gave the UFV Cascades (2-1-1) their second straight victory as they cruised past the UBC Okanagan Heat (0-3-1) 4-0 on Saturday at Rotary Stadium. 

How it happened:
It was a dream start for UFV, as Beecroft found Mailand in the box just 35 seconds into the game. The winger made no mistake, as his shot beat the keeper to the right for his fourth goal in two games to make it 1-0.

The Cascades continued their early onslaught as Ebi Igali found a streaking Adriano Consigliol but his third minute strike missed just left of the goal. 

UBCO battled back, controlling the run of play for the majority of the next 30 minutes, forcing multiple strong saves from UFV goalkeeper Matheus De Souza. Igali's acrobatic bicycle kick in the 40th minute was blocked by UBCO's Varun Kothary on the goal line, and the teams went into the break separated by just one goal.

The Cascades came out flying in the second half, and a pair of quick goals put them in full control. Just 14 minutes in, a  strong Beecroft header finished off the nice cross from Mailand. Four minutes after that Aidan Fitzgerald's cross from the right side found the head of Brazinha and his looping header made it 3-0. 

Brazinha would close out the scoring with the team's fourth goal in the 88th minute. A chipped ball from Beckham Hatch was flicked on with a deft backheel from Grischa Heider, and Brazinha drove across the top of the box before finishing it into the far corner.

Quotable:
UFV striker Mateo Brazinha

"We thought we were building something special last year, and we wanted to build on that this year. The hard work is showing on the pitch, and I'm delighted for the boys and the coaching staff."

"It has been really tough physically and mentally preseason wise, but I'm delighted. No matter what happened so far, the boys haven't skipped a beat whether I have or not. They have been unbelievable."

"When things are going against you, it's about how you respond. I think in that second half we came online."

Next Up:
The Cascades continue their homestand next Friday and Saturday as they host MacEwan University and Mount Royal University. Both games are set for 7pm at Rotary Stadium, and live on Canada West TV.