ABBOTSFORD - The UBC Thunderbirds finished their season with a weekend sweep of provincial rivals Victoria and Fraser Valley. The 2-1 victory over the Cascades on Sunday afternoon at Bateman Park clinched third spot in the Canada West for the T-Birds.
The win briefly moved the T-Birds (8-2-4) into second place but with Victoria's 2-0 result over Trinity Western they finish in third place and will play the Vikes in Canada West final four next weekend in Langley.
The match was played even through the first half, with each team recording a shot on goal before the Thunderbirds grabbed the lead.
The Cascades got into trouble in their own end and were unable to clear the ball.
Rachael Sawer capitalized on a turnover, sending a pass through the goalmouth to an unmarked
Janine Frazao, who tapped the ball passed sprawling Fraser Valley goalkeeper, Chantelle Biagioni, for a 1-0 advantage. For Frazao, it was her team-leading 10th marker of the season.
The Thunderbirds widened their lead to 2-0 in the 62nd minute, thanks to some nifty passing between a pair of substitutes. First-year striker
Christina Donnelly left-footed the ball passed Biagioni for her first of the year, finishing a smart feed from
Zarina Giannone.
The Cascades gave the visitors a scare just five minutes later scoring on a penalty kick. A handball in the penalty area gave Kristen Vanderpauw chance from the penalty spot, who made no mitake beating T-Birds 'keeper
Jaclyn Dunnett inside the right post.
That was all the offence the hosts would muster as the Cascades could not find the equalizer thanks to some strong defending and two key saves by Dunnett.
The Thunderbirds, who end on a 6-game winning streak, join TWU, Victoria and Alberta in the Canada West final four. Kickoff times to be determined.
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