Files from U of A Sports Information
EDMONTON - The University of Alberta Pandas field hockey team suffered their 10th straight defeat, the longest losing streak in program history, when they dropped a 1-0 decision to the defending CIS champion UBC Thunderbirds, Saturday night at Foote Field in Edmonton.
Thunderbird
Kirsten Bertsch was the only player to notch a goal, as she beat Alberta 'keeper Alyssa Greco in the 28th minute of the first half.
Alberta is now 0-10 on the season, and with just two games remaining in the season is in rough company historically, along with the 1982 and 1983 Pandas' teams. In the 1982 campaign, the Pandas posted a 1-11 record, losing their first eight straight before picking up a win, while the 1983 team lost four straight, before picking a win, and then lost six of their last seven to finish with a 1-10-1 record.
Meanwhile, UBC improved to 7-1-2 and further cemented their standing of first in Canada West. Nearest competitor Victoria lost 1-0 to Calgary at home, leaving the Vikes with a 5-2-2 record, while the Dinos trail close behind at 4-3-2. UBC has won seven consecutive Canada West Championships and with a single next weekend against Victoria would clinch their eighth straight.
The top two teams from Canada West advance to the CIS national championship tournament, November 4-7 at the University of Guelph.
The conference winners will be decided next weekend with all four teams in action to close out the regular season campaign.
Alberta, however, will be looking to secure their first win of the season next weekend when they travel to Calgary to take on the Dinos, while the Thunderbirds will look to lock-up first place overall when they host Victoria.
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