VANCOUVER - In the final game of the Canada West women's soccer regular season, Alberta and UBC played out an absolutely enthralling encounter that wasn't decided until the final minute of stoppage time.
Alberta took the lead halfway through the first half before UBC equalized with just 15 minutes to go. Alberta scored again to regain the lead in the 84th minute before UBC equalized once again only 60 seconds later. A third Alberta goal in the 90th minute secured them the win and sent the visitors into hysterics.
BOX SCORE
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UBC entered the game as the sole remaining undefeated team in the Canada West conference courtesy of Alberta's loss to Trinity Western on Friday night. The No. 2-ranked Pandas and the Thunderbirds were both looking to improve on their seeding with the playoffs only a week away and a win for either team could send them top of the conference.
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It was Alberta that struck the first blow. Shalla Kadima scored with a powerful shot into the top left-hand corner of the net after a free kick from Jessie Candlish found her on the edge of the penalty box. The match stayed close despite Alberta's lead and both teams had numerous shots saved as both keepers appeared in great form. Alberta held out until the 75th minute before giving up a penalty when
Jasmin Dhanda was felled in the box. Up stepped
Janine Frazao, UBC and Canada West all-time record goalscorer, and she coolly placed it low to the goalie's right. Then came the frantic finale. Alberta won a corner with six minutes to go and Rebecca Brandt whipped in a corner that Kadima leapt to meet and headed down into the net for her second of the game. Straight from the kick-off came UBC and a burst down the left flank by
Rachael Sawer won the 'Birds a corner of their own. Sawer took it and found
Aman Shergill lurking on the edge of the box, she met it with a stunning half-volley that rocketed into the top corner; 2-2 and only five minutes left.
Both sides were desperate for the win and were sending direct balls over the top in the hopes of setting their strikers free. Just when it looked like it was going to end a tie, Alberta were awarded a free kick 35 yards out. Kelsey Mitchell stood over the ball and played in a curving cross that the imperious Kadima met with her head again to claim her third of the game and wrap up the win and her hat-trick.
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"It's always disappointing to lose, in this way especially," said UBC head coach
Andrea Neil. "But we've got lessons to learn here and lessons we will take into next week."
Neil was reticent in defeat but despite the loss, one could tell that she was very pleased with her team's performance in her first year in change and is excitedly awaiting to see how far her girls can go in the post-season.
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The last-gasp loss dropped UBC to third in the standings and that is where they will finish. They will host Calgary in their quarter-final match on David Sidoo Field at Thunderbird Stadium next Saturday, Oct. 26 at 5 p.m.
Alberta takes second place in the Canada West and will host Fraser Valley next Saturday in Edmonton.
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