March 10, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- UAB midfielder/forward Dejan Jakovic scored his first goal for Canada's Olympic U-23 team, helping his squad to a 3-2 victory in an exhibition match against UC Santa Barbara at Sana Barbara, Calif. on March 7. Jakovic, who also started the contest, and his Canadian teammates are making final preparations before next week's CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualification Tournament.

Jakovic wasted no time in scoring the game's first goal in the 19th minute of action. Jakovic converted after a Tyler Rosenlund free kick to give his team a one-goal advantage.

In the second half, Canada made it 2-0 after substitutes Andrea Lombardo and Kyle Hall combined to beat UC Santa Barbara. Lombardo got the ball in the box and then Hall made a nifty play to score the goal.

UC Santa Barbara got one back in the 76th minute as Chris Pontius scored his first of two goals late in the game. Four minutes later, though, Canada made it 3-1 as Ryan Gyaki kicked in a cross from substitute Tosaint Ricketts. UC Santa Barbara then scored the fifth and final goal of the game in the 86th minute as Pontius chipped the ball in the net.

Canada has one final weekend of preparations before next Wednesday's CONCACAF opener against México.