TORONTO - Fifth-year co-captain
Kelly Isberg headed home the winner off a corner in the second overtime period to send the UBC Thunderbirds through to the CIS semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over the York Lions at the CIS women's soccer championship in Toronto.
The Lions pulled even in the second half on a corner but Isberg righted the result with a thunderous header from six yards out and just inside the far post off a Sawer delivery in the 107th minute.
"It was a battle the entire game out there with every 50/50 ball a huge battle. York played amazing tonight and they were super physical," said Isberg. "I have no idea where that goal came from but it's really exciting and I knew we had to get one. I had to step up and make something happen."
With the win, the T-Birds advance to face the winner of the day's final game, a dual between top ranked Montreal and host Toronto. Their semi-final is scheduled for 12:30 PST on Saturday following a break on Friday.
Rachael Sawer opened the scoring for the T-Birds with a clinical finish in the 24th minute. She took a
Kelly Cook through ball from the left flank and off the first bounce rocketed home a half-volley from just inside the York penalty area passed Lions keeper Sarah Fiorini.
That goal gave the T-Birds a bit of breathing room as the Lions came out strong with a physical style in the middle and speed on the wing. The OUA Champs were missing their standout midfielder and 2009 All-Canadian, Amy Otaki, who began the game on the bench but entered just after UBC took the lead.
Otaki, who had been sick for the week leading up to the championship, paid instant dividends, immediately helping the Lions push forward. Otakiand right wing Nicole Markowitz stretched the UBC defence all game but York couldn't find the equalizer until midway through the second half.
The Lions leveled the score in the 64th minute off an Otaki corner with Nicole Cambpell finishing in a similar manner to that of Isberg's, taking it in the air at the near post and redirecting passed a charging
Jaclyn Dunnett.
It was the only York shot to beat Dunnett who made three saves in the win. Her counterpart, Fiorini, had six stops as the T-Birds out shot the Lions 19-9.
"This is one we will savour. It was one that I thought we were maybe going to let slip away but to the girls' credit they kept battling and created enough chances to get the winner. It was a great effort by Isberg to get that one for us," said UBC head coach Dick Mosher.
Isberg was also a stalwart for the T-Birds at the back end, helping UBC contain the dangerous York offence to just a handful of quality chances.
"Our d-line has been super tight all year and we have been really good at communicating," added Isberg. "Chelsea is an amazing centre back who won so many balls today and our two backs, Jessica and Kelly, played amazing on the wings. We trust each other back there and it leads to great things."
With the win, the T-Birds keep alive their streak for medal appearances at the CIS championship. In their previous 10 appearances, UBC has medaled each time which includes a championship record five titles.
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