SURREY, B.C. – The UBC Thunderbirds capped off a successful opening weekend with a shortened roster on Sunday, beating the Calgary Dinos 3-0 at Tamanawis Park to sweep the two-game set.
Kate Gillis' first half goal held up as the game-winner, and
Alexandra Bland picked up her first shutout as a T-Bird.
Both teams looked sharper in game two, putting a higher premium on scoring chances compared to Saturday's 5-3 offensive showcase.Â
Calgary again had the first crack at goal with back to back penalty corner chances early on, but the T-Birds looked tighter at the back on Sunday and allowed far fewer clean shots at goal.
The Dinos defence was stronger as well, and the 'Birds had to get creative to finally break through. In the 18th minute,
Cassandra Tayler sent a hard cross into the scoring area and Gillis put a great touch on it, redirecting the ball in high off the post to give UBC the lead.
The teams traded great scoring chances late in the half, with Calgary making a nice run into the area, forcing Bland to charge out of her net. The Dinos got a shot away on the empty net but
Shanlee Johnston was there to clear the attempt away for UBC.
Just before halftime, the 'Birds just missed on another deflection attempt. This time it was
Molly Driscoll with the tip, but it hit the post and stayed out.
Things opened up for the T-Birds in the second half, with Calgary forced to push for an equalizer. The 'Birds were able to take advantage and generate more scoring chances and pressure around Dinos goalkeeper Sydney Hamm.
UBC's second goal came early in the second half on a penalty corner.
Miranda Mann set up Tayler with a hard pass to the side of the net, which she redirected past Hamm to double the T-Bird lead.
They added one more in the 59th, when Kaitie Jameson picked up a loose ball in the area and calmly slotted it into the top corner for her second goal of the weekend.
The T-Birds remained strong defensively to close out the match, showing no signs of fatigue depsite playing with just three reserves. Several players remain unavailable while playing at the Pan Am Junior Championship in Mexico, which wrapped up yesterday.
The T-Birds head to Victoria next weekend to take on the 2-0 Vikes, while the Dinos have a week off to regroup. Their next action will also be in Victoria in two weeks.
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