The University of British Columbia Athletics

REGINA – Paige Wheeler set up Hillary Lerat in the first period and Lerat returned the favour in the second as the University of Regina's women's hockey team edged the UBC Thunderbirds by a 2-1 score on Friday night at The Co-Operators Centre.
 
Lerat opened the scoring with her second of the season with six minutes left in the first period after taking a pass from Wheeler and beating T-Bird goalie Melinda Choy with a shot from the point.
 
A Lerat point shot was also responsible for the second Cougar goal. With the U of R enjoying a 5-on-4 advantage, Lerat fired a shot that was deflected home by Wheeler, giving the third-year forward her eighth goal of the season.
 
Wheeler's goal would turn out to be the game-winning marker, as UBC's Kelsey Kirkham scored three minutes into the third period to get the Thunderbirds to within one.

UBC head coach Nancy Wilson blamed a slow start with her team ending up on the losing end.

"We were disappointed with our start though I thought we played the final four minutes really well," said Wilson.
 
Lisa Urban shut the door from there, however, as the fourth-year goaltender stopped 12 of UBC's 13 shots in the third period – and 26 out of 27 in the game – to secure the team's sixth win of the season.

The T-Birds pushed hard for the equalizer over the final two frames but could not solve Urban.

Wilson gave full credit to the opposing keeper. "Lisa Urban played exceptionally well. She was the first star tonight," said Wilson.
 
Choy made 18 saves for UBC, which falls to 4-12-1 with the loss. The Cougars' Canada West record improves to 6-9-2 on the season.
 
The two teams will meet again at The Co-Operators Centre on Saturday night. Faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
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