VANCOUVER - The No. 5-ranked UBC Thunderbirds dropped their first game of the 2010 season, losing at home against the No. 4-ranked Alberta Pandas. Alberta capitalized on a pair of corner kicks as the prairie visitors prevailed 2-0 at Thunderbird Park.
The rapidly improving Pandas (5-0-0), who moved four spots and ahead of UBC in this weeks' CIS rankings, provided the first true test of the season for the Thunderbirds (3-1-1).
"It was a frustrating night for us. We took too long to get motivated and that allowed Alberta to put the sword to us", said UBC head coach Mark Rogers.
Rogers' frustration stemmed from his side's inability to defend Alberta's corner kicks. Alberta's first goal came off a short corner quickly taken by midfielder Elise Emmott. Emmott surprised the UBC defence by sliding the ball high to defender Keshia Wallin. Wallin was then allowed to penetrate the T-Birds' back line and send a dangerous cross into the box that found the head of Carleigh Miller who bounced the ball into the heart of UBC's goal.
The Pandas execution was in contrast to the 'Birds inability to finish off pieces. The lack of finishing quality was another point of contention for Rogers.
"We were not ruthless enough on the pitch. We did the work to put the ball in the right place and were unable to finish," said Rogers.
The Pandas were granted their second corner four minutes into the second half and, again, were able to convert. This time, Emmott's cross deflected off a UBC defender and landed on the foot of Alberta forward Heather Lund who slotted the ball past a helpless
Meghan Best to push the Panda's lead to two.
For the duration of the second half UBC's advances were continuously turned back by Alberta's steady defending. The T-Birds finally looked to have solved Alberta in the 83rd minute when a free kick led to a trio of glorious scoring opportunities.
A Panda foul allowed UBC to execute a set play from just outside the Alberta box.
Caitlin Davie faked and
Natalie Hirayama struck a ball that looked destined for the goal. Unfortunately, the familiar sound of the ball striking the crossbar echoed at Thunderbird Park.
But all was not lost as the rebound came to a ready Jordan Kitigawa. The defender beat her mark and sent a rising shot that forced Alberta keeper Kelti Biggs to leap and punch the ball over her goal. Then, on the ensuing corner,
Kelly Cook was delivered a beautiful ball by Hirayama but the third-year defender headed the ball just wide of the Alberta goal.
The flurry of chances proved to be the final challenge from the home side who will look to rebound when they host a dangerous Saskatchewan squad Saturday night at Thunderbird Park. The Pandas travel to Langley to face Trinity Western in a showdown of undefeated teams.
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