VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds sent their seniors off in style on Saturday night in their final home game of the regular season, beating the Saskatchewan Huskies 6-0 at Thunderbird Park.
Things started off rough for the Huskies, with an own goal in the seventh minute to get the scoring started, and it got no easier from there.
Canada West scoring leader
Janine Frazao added two more to her season total in a two minute span. First in the 21st minute she found herself on the finishing end of a
Rachel Ramsden cross for the third time this weekend, capping it with a beautiful header back across goal from eight yards out.
Then she won a penalty with a run down the right wing into the box, and took it herself for her 12th goal of the year and a 3-0 UBC lead.
"10th clean sheet of the year, and when you know you're likely to keep a clean sheet at one end it gives the attack license to play free going forward," said UBC head coach Mark Rogers. "I think we're seeing the results of that having scored eight goals this weekend against two teams challenging for playoff spots."
Frazao's attacking partner, Rachel Sawer, took over the scoring effort in the second half. She made it 4-0 in the 73rd minute with a cracking shot into the top corner from 20 yards out.
After another Huskies own goal off a UBC free kick, Sawer then made it 6-0 when she finished a
Taylor Shannik cross from in close in the 80th minute.
Rogers noted that while his team produced great individual performances all over the park, Ramsden deserved special mention for her stellar playmaking this weekend.
"She was coming back from injury during the preseason and started coming off the bench for us, but once she got her start she was just out of this world and these last six or seven games she has just been fantastic," said Rogers.
Graduating fifth-years
Natalie Hirayama and
Diane Rizzardo were held off the scoresheet, but both generated numerous quality chances for the 'Birds in their final CIS regular season matches at home. Fellow senior
Lisa Furutani recorded one assist.
The win moves UBC to 9-1-2 on the year, keeping them within striking distance of Trinity Western at the top of the table. The Huskies fall to 5-5-2 and are currently four points out of a playoff spot.
Saskatchewan will finish the regular season at home next weekend against Regina and Manitoba, while the T-Birds will be on the road against Calgary and Lethbridge.
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