VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds have advanced to the Canada West Final Four with a 2-1 win over the University of Calgary Dinos Saturday afternoon at Thunderbird Stadium.

After conceding the game opening goal in the 59th minute, the T-Birds quickly rallied, scoring twice in the next 14 minutes to extend their season while simultaneously ending the Dinos' campaign.

After a scoreless opening half that saw the visitors press late, the T-Birds came storming out of the gate to open up the final 45. 

However, it was the Dinos who struck first against the flow of play when Derek Brust headed a Gareth Smith-Doyle ball in, perfectly over UBC keeper Bennett McKay from the edge of the six-yard area.

Despite the blow, UBC was persistent and the defending Canada West champions responded just three minutes later when Jackson Farmer kicked in the tying goal. Mitch Piraux took a corner that was headed by Riley Pang, deflecting the ball off a Dinos defender which then ping ponged around before Farmer ended the flurry with his left foot.

Continuing to press, the 'Birds took their first lead of the game in the 73rd when Logan Chung made a lovely strike from the top of the 18-yard box, playing the ball off the post and in.

UBC continued to look for insurance while also keeping Calgary in check, and the 'Birds appeared to have their opportunity in the 88th when Tristan Nkoghe was hauled down in the box. But when the veteran stepped up to take the penalty, his low shot was denied by Calgary keeper Jake Ruschkowski on one of his five saves of the game.

The stop gave the Dinos some added late energy, but time was not on their side as the T-Birds held on to advance to the conference final four tournament next weekend in Calgary.