SURREY - The UBC Thunderbirds played their season opener without eight of their regulars, who were representing Canada at the Pan Am Junior Championship, but they didn't miss a beat against Calgary, beating the Dinos 5-2 on Saturday at Tamanawis Secondary.
Second-year forward
Molly Driscoll scored twice, and
Alexandra Bland made a number of key saves in goal to help the 'Birds start the season off with a victory.
The Dinos almost got on the board just five minutes in, when Janelle Lautermilch stripped a UBC defender to earn a partial breakaway, but Bland made a nice stick save to keep the game scoreless.
Just two minutes later the T-Birds opened the scoring.
Kate Gillis set up the chance with a great turn in her own end to get into space for a run up the left wing. Her initial cross was intercepted by Calgary goalkeeper Sydney Hamm, but Driscoll was able to fish out the rebound and play it over to Sammy Saddler, who made no mistake from in close.
The T-Birds controlled the first half but couldn't get much else going until just before halftime. In the 33rd minute
Gabby Jayme jumpstarted the offence again, pulling the ball around a defender in the circle before scoring five-hole to make it 2-0.
UBC struck again moments later on a great play from Driscoll. She recieved a long pass from behind with just one defender to beat, but had to let the ball catch up on her backhand side to get a shot away. She spun and let a backhand shot go just as she entered the circle while falling to the ground, beating Hamm to put the 'Birds up three.
Bland did well to keep the shutout early in the second half, making two glove saves on a Calgary penalty corner in the 40th minute. But in the 42nd the Dinos finally broke through, with Keara Chicquen slashing through the circle and forcing a sliding attempt from Bland to check her. The loose ball fell to Kimiko Durrer and she popped it into the open net.
UBC responded in the 49th on a penalty corner, as
Katie Jameson was on the spot to bang home a rebound and make it a 4-1 game.
The relief was short-lived for UBC though, as the Dinos were on the board again just one minute later, this time Chicquen finishing the chance to pull Calgary back within two.
But Driscoll would ice it for UBC in the 57th, capping off a great opening match for herself by sneaking her second goal in from the side of the net for a 5-2 Thunderbirds final.
The T-Birds and Dinos go again on Sunday morning to wrap up opening weekend. This time they start at 10:30, again at Tamanawis Secondary in Surrey.
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