EDMONTON -Â 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 29
th, 2022 in Edmonton, AB.
With the win, the Bears advance to their first CW Final Four since 2017.Â
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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. Â
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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.Â
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The nightmare half for UNBC continued in the 23
rd 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.Â
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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.Â
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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.Â
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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. Â
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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.Â
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Despite the one-sided score, the TWolves actually held a 13-12 advantage in shots, and an 8-7 lead in shots on goal.Â