VANCOUVER – The No. 5 UBC Thunderbirds host the No. 3 Trinity Western Spartans on Saturday, October 15 at Thunderbird Park. The Top-10 battle is for first place in the conference standings with kickoff set for 5:00 p.m.
No. 5 UBC Thunderbirds
2011 conference record: 7-1-1 (2nd)
2011 CIS ranking: 5
Last week: beat Fraser Valley 3-0, beat Victoria 1-0
Streak: 4 wins
The Thunderbirds added to their impressive list of defensive achievements last weekend with 3-0 and 1-0 victories over Victoria and Fraser Valley. Those wins gave UBC four straight shutouts and eight overall on the year.
Now more than halfway through the regular season, the 'Birds have only allowed two goals on the year, both of which came in one game against Alberta. Not only are they on pace to smash Canada West goals-against and shutout records, but they are also keeping pace with the rival Spartans at the top of the standings, setting up this weekend's pivotal match that could decide who finishes first and earns hosting rights for the conference playoffs.
Taryn Lim earned Canada West Female Athlete of the Week honours for scoring both game-winning goals last weekend.
Janine Frazao still stands head-and-shoulders above the rest in terms of scoring with eight goals to her credit, but the secondary scoring options are starting to emerge.
Rachael Sawer,
Natalie Hirayama and Lim all have at least two goals this season, and the 'Birds have totalled 11 in their past four games after starting off with just six goals in their first five games.
No. 3 Trinity Western Spartans
2011 conference record: 8-1 (1st)
2011 CIS ranking: 3
Last week: beat Victoria 2-1, beat Fraser Valley 1-0
Streak: 8 wins
Since a 1-0 defeat to open the season against UBC, the Spartans are 8-0 with a 21-3 scoring advantage over their opponents. The Spartans are second in Canada West both in goals for and goals against, and haven't been afraid of physical play either, leading the league in fouls as well.
Part of the Spartans' recipe for success has been the depth of scoring talent on thier roster. Daniela Gerig added a goal last weekend to take the team lead with five, but they also have Canada West All Star Melissa Mobilio and Jennifer Castillo with four each, and Nikki Wright with three. Five other Spartans have found the back of the net at least once this year, and they have been held under two goals just twice since that week one loss to UBC.
And not to be outdone by the stellar UBC defence, the Spartans' back row of Jilian Dietrich, Colleen Webber, Nikki Byrne and Castillo has been almost equally difficult to solve. Trinity Western has allowed just four goals on the year, helping goalkeeper Kristen Funk earn five shutouts.
