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TORONTO – The UBC Thunderbirds women's soccer team will be pursuing a record sixth national championship this weekend in Toronto. The T-Birds return to the CIS championships for the first time since 2007, when they came away with the bronze, and they have won a medal in all of their 10 previous trips to the national tournament. It is the fifth trip in eight seasons for the Thunderbirds who last hoisted the Gladys Bean Memorial Trophy in 2006 with a 3-1 defeat of fellow 2009 qualifiers, Queen's.

UBC faced a hard road to the nationals this season, facing an uphill battle that saw them on the outside of the Canada West playoff picture for much of the season. An unbalanced conference schedule had the T-Birds facing nationally ranked opponents in four of their first eight matches, including facing off with no. 1 Trinity Western, the only team to defeat the 'Birds this season, in back-to-back games.  A late season surge, ignited by an undefeated six game home stand, saw the T-Birds run roughshod over their opponents as the closed the year on a 6-0-2 run. During that season-defining run the T-Birds outscored their opponents 18-1 and posted seven clean sheets.

By the time the dust cleared, the T-Birds found themselves in third spot in the conference and, for all their efforts, were rewarded with a must win game versus #4 Victoria in the Canada West Final Four. A determined UBC side would not be denied their return to the nationals as they defeated their island rivals 1-0. The 'Birds then had a chance to reclaim the Canada West title from Trinity Western but fell 1-0 in a tightly contested match to the host Spartans.

Success at the CIS tournament will depend largely on defence for the Thunderbirds who allowed the third fewest goal in the conference play with nine. While defence will be the priority, head coach Dick Mosher recognizes that his team will need to put the ball in the net if his side is going to secure a sixth CIS banner.

"For the most part we have defended very, very well this season but our attack needed a bit of help this year and it has taken some time to get consistent scoring up front," explained Mosher.

Mosher made adjustments to his team's attack strategy, which resulted in offensive success that fueled his team's late season push.

"We've shifted around our system up front and in the midfield and it took us some time to adjust to the new system but now that our players are comfortable they have been playing with a lot of confidence," added Mosher.

In spite of the new, successful offensive system the Thunderbirds will continue to make defence a priority. UBC's defence is anchored by 2009 Canada West first-team all-star Jaclyn Dunnett who is a formidable force between the posts. Dunnett, who was a 2008 All-Canadian, saved her best season for last as the fifth-year 'keeper led the Canada West with nine clean sheets, all of which came in a ten-game span. Dunnett's numbers were fantastic as she finished tied for second in goals against (0.54) and third in save percentage (0.881). Numbers aside it was Dunnett's ability to make the big save that set her apart as she thwarted numerous breakaways keeping her opponents off the scoreboard and giving her team a chance to win time and time again.

Dunnett won't have to defend the UBC net on her own, however, as she is supported by one of the best back lines in the CIS. Fifth-year fullbacks Kelly Isberg and Chelsea Stang anchored a UBC defence that was stingy throughout the season. Stang's strong boot was adept at clearing danger in front of the UBC goal and she was dominant in the air this season. Combine Stang with Isberg's good decision making and marking and the duo continuously turned back the potent attack of their Canada West competition. For their efforts the pair were named first-team Canada West all-stars. Speedy fourth-year right back Jessica Briker and steadily improving left back Kelly Cook, round out the  crew that will be key in any UBC success this weekend.

"People are going to have to score on us to beat us.  We won't necessarily get a lot of goals, although I think we can if we need to, and if we want any success we will need to be at the top of our game on defence.  We are a tough team to play against and if we play our game, we can do well in Toronto," noted Mosher.

At midfield the Thunderbirds are deep and experienced. In the middle are a pair of former Canada West rookies of the year in fourth-year Caitlin Davie and third-year Natalie Hirayama. The two will be called upon to provide a strong defensive presence while connecting the 'Birds attack. Davie, who takes the majority of UBC's free kicks, will also be expected to produce some offence herself after finishing third on the team with four goals. On the wing, third-year Lisa Furutani enjoyed a return to her natural position and noched three goals in the process. Furutani's relentless push of the ball up the flank was one of the keys to the T-Birds offensive success in the latter half of the season and helped garner her a Canada West first-team all-star nod. Veterans Sara Treloar and Carmen Lindsay will be expected to provide stability through the middle while second-year Diane Rizzardo provides a spark off the bench for the T-Birds.

Up front UBC relies on two fresh faces for finish. Janine Frazao (pictured right) and Rachael Sawer, both first-year players, provided the bulk of the Thunderbirds' offence combining for 16 of UBC's 31 goals. Frazao, the younger sister of former UBC standout striker, Steve, found her form when Mosher made the switch to a more offensive-minded 4-3-3 system. The change immediately paid dividends for the young striker as she posted back-to-back four goal games against Lethbridge and Calgary. Sawer meanwhile enjoyed success early and often this season, potting two goals in her first game as a Thunderbird in the season debut versus Alberta. The 'Birds will need the young duo to show the poise of veterans on the national stage as UBC's success could largely depend on their ability to find the back of the net.

The Thunderbirds begin their quest for their sixth national title Thursday, November 12 with a quarterfinal date against the OUA champion York Lions. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. PST. The winner will advance to face either QSSF champion Montreal Carabins or the host Toronto Varsity Blues.