VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds are set to welcome a very distinguished and experienced defender to their backline for the 2017 U SPORTS season.
 
Brienna Shaw, a two-time CIS champion with the Queen's Gaels, will utilize her fifth year of U SPORTS eligibility with the UBC Thunderbirds. Shaw is one of the most decorated female soccer players to ever lace up boots in the OUA, being named conference All-Star four times and helping the Gaels to consecutive CIS (now U SPORTS) championships in 2010 and 2011. Along with being named a CIS All-Canadian, Shaw has also represented Canada twice in women's soccer at the FISU Summer Universiade, in 2009 and again in 2011 when she was named team captain.
 
Shaw will be pursuing her Master's Degree in Civil Engineering at UBC, and is excited to return to varsity athletics after nearly five years away from university life.
 
"It's a bit surreal. Playing varsity sports is so much fun, you meet such great friends," says Shaw. "I've been working full-time for the last five years so I'm excited to go back to school and learn some more and also be part of a competitive varsity team again. I've been through it for four years now and I know what to expect after university. Hopefully I can provide some leadership and guidance to the younger players with the experience that I have."


 
Shaw will once again team up with UBC Head Coach Jesse Symons, who she has played for with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC women's program and currently in the North Shore WPSL side.
 
"I don't think any program can expect to bring in a player of Brie's level this late for the fall season," says Symons. "I feel she brings leadership and has played at the highest level possible, both with the Whitecaps women's program and the North Shore WPSL team. She will be an anchor on our backline. It's really exciting to have her for the 2017 year."

The UBC Thunderbirds won the silver medal at the 2016 U SPORTS championships after winning the gold medal in 2015.