2010 CIS Rank: #3
2009 CW Record: 8-2-4
2009 CW Tournament: 2nd
2009 CIS Tournament: 3rd
Last CW Title: 2007
Last CIS Title: 2006
Key returnees:
Caitlin Davie,
Janine Frazao,
Jessica Briker
Key additions: Alisha Penev
Key departures: Jaclyn Dunnett,
Chelsea Stang,
Kelly Isberg
VANCOUVER - A new era under first-year head coach Mark Rogers begins this fall as the UBC Thunderbirds look to retain their elite standing in the Canada West following the retirement of legendary coach Dick Mosher.
Rogers returns a number of key veterans from the T-Birds 2009 CIS bronze medal winning squad which should ease the transition.
"It has been different for them but the team has responded very well to my style. They've been very eager to learn and there hasn't been one issue in terms of complaining even when we worked them really hard in camp," says Rogers.
"The experienced players have led by example and they've really come together as a group. We don't have a huge squad so it's vital that they work together and realize that they each have a valuable role to play."
A trio of fifth-years in
Caitlin Davie,
Carmen Lindsay, and
Jessica Briker and fourth-years
Natalie Hirayama,
Lisa Furutani, and
Diane Rizzardo provide stability, leadership, and talent across the pitch.
Davie, an All-Canadian, looks to regain her dominant presence this year while former all-stars Hirayama and Furutani should play prominent roles in the T-Birds efforts going forward.
Up front, second-years
Janine Frazao and
Rachael Sawer return to lead the attack after pacing the 'Birds with 12 and six goals respectively during their rookie seasons.
On defence, UBC will look decidedly different with the graduation of All-Canadian keeper
Jaclyn Dunnett and centre back
Chelsea Stang in addition to all-star defender
Kelly Isberg. Briker, a member of Canada's 2009 FISU Games team, and third-year
Kelly Cook anchor the new-look back four. Second-year Jordan Kitigawa and rookie standout
Alisha Penev also figure to earn the bulk of the starts early in the season as Rogers evaluates what combination works best.
Meghan Best and
Leah Peric, who were both back-ups to Dunnett last season, will be relied upon to carry the load in net this year.
"The biggest thing with Meghan and Leah is to realize that the staff has faith in them and that they need to have faith in themselves. It has been a bit of an ice water bath so it's only natural they've both been a bit nervous but they've begun to relax a bit and look like different players recently," adds Rogers.
UBC begins their 2010 season on the road this weekend with tilts against Calgary and Lethbridge.
"Our first goal this season is getting maximum points against Calgary," says Rogers. "It's important that we take it one game at a time and not look too far ahead."
-30-
