VICTORIA (CIS) – In a preview of tomorrow's gold-medal matchup the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds completed their undefeated round-robin record with a 4-2 win over hosts, the Victoria Vikes on Saturday at the 2013 Field Hockey Canada-CIS national championship. The T-Birds had three goals from first-year Netherlands recruit Sophie Huijskens for the win, while the Vikes got a game-opener and closer to wipe the clean sheet.
 
The stage is now set for tomorrow's championship final where the Birds and Vikes will go head-to-head with a medal on the line. The T-Birds have claimed six of the last 10 CIS national titles, while the Victoria earned only one coming in 2008. Earlier in the day Guelph blanked Waterloo 5-0 to round out their pool play, while both teams will reconvene tomorrow for the bronze medal.
 
First-year Huisjkens came off the bench to score three unanswered goals, while Kate Gillis was the first T-Bird to get on the board. The Thunderbirds showcased their top line-up with nine of the starting 11 having recent international experience.
 
Despite the final result it was the Vikes that struck first and last in the game. Amanda Kurianowicz notched her third of the tournament beating UBC keeper Bea Francisco in the 22^nd minute of play. Forward Emily Fisher tallied in the final minute of the game to keep the 'Birds within two.
 
The home team came out of the gates with a roar of energy putting the T-Birds under pressure for the opening minutes of the game. After UBC settled in Hannah Haughn led the charge with four quality opportunities that eventual player of the game and keeper Sheriden Goodmanson stood tall on. Riding on the wave of Goodmanson's efforts, the Vikes found themselves in the other end very quickly.
 
In the 14^th minute Kyla Kirby blasted a shot towards goal that went to the stick of Fisher. Fisher traversed across the goal and had Francisco beat but her upright, reverse shot went just wide of the left post.
 
The 'Birds rallied back to earn their first corner in the 19^th minute. Miranda Mann's low drag to the right post took a touch off a Vikes defender and just bounced wide of the net. End-to-end action continued as the home team tallied on the board in the 22^nd minute. Francisco made a save on an initial shot but Van der Ree's rebound attempt found the stick of Kurianowicz, who curled and shot it. The ball hit some traffic before sailing into the mesh to give the Vikes a 1-0 lead.
 
All-Canadian and team Canada standout Gillis didn't allow for much celebration time as she notched a response less than 30 seconds later. Second after the push back from Kurianowicz's goal, Haughn eliminated her check at the top of the circle and smashed a ball into the stroke mark. Gillis' deflection was next-to-perfect as the 'Birds squared the game at one.
 
From there possession lay in UBC's favour as quality distribution from defenders Sara McManus and Rachel Donohoe continued to eliminate the Vikes' forward line. The Birds capitalized on their third corner of the opening half when Huijsken's straight shot went off the pad of Goodmanson and into the mesh. UBC sat on a 2-1 cushion entering the break.
 
In the second half it was all T-Birds as they continued to attack in waves, entering the circle from any angle available. Goodmanson was brilliant with seven second-half saves, while defenders Rosie Beale and Alexis Veljacic were consistent at tackling T-Birds along the perimeter of the circle.
 
The 'Birds caught a lucky break in the 57^th minute when Huisjkens chased down a ball that looked like it was going off the end line. The resulting baseline pass across the goalmouth took a bounce off Goodmanson's kicker and trickled into the net to lift the two-time national champions up 3-1.
 
In the 60^th minute the Vikes had their best opportunity to make it a one-goal game when Kurianowicz blew by a trio of UBC defenders on a quick self-start from the hash marks. The Canada West First Team All-Star made her way into the circle and laid it off left to an open Marin Davidson. With Francisco drawn out, the ball took a touch on its way and bounced into the air but Davidson was unable to capitalize on the empty net.
 
The T-Birds pushed their lead to three when a timely substitution for Haughn allowed her to pick up a long pass on the right side. Haughn wasted no time and blasted a 40-yard ball to the far post. A wide open Huijskens made good on a world-class, reverse-stick deflection to tally her third goal of the game and bring the Thunderbirds up 4-1.
 
The Vikes continued to compete until the final whistle and were rewarded after Kurianowicz battled her way through the circle. Annie Walters-Shumka found herself with the resulting lose ball and her reverse stick sweep went square past Francisco to an open Fisher, who tapped it in the empty net.
 
The Birds took the game 4-2 and enter the championship game undefeated with nine points. The Birds and Vikes will go head-to-head for the sixth time this season at 3:00 p.m., while Guelph and Waterloo will compete for the bronze at 1:00 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live at http://cis-sic.tv
 
Official championship website: http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/fh/index

SCORING SUMMARY
VIC: 1-1: 2
UBC: 2-2: 4
 
First half
VIC: Amanda Kurianowicz (3), 22^nd minute
UBC: Kate Gillis (2), 23^rd minute
UBC: Sophie Huijskens (2), 32^nd minute
 
Second Half
UBC: Sophie Huijskens (3), 57^th minute
UBC: Sophie Huijskens (4), 65^th minute
VIC: Emily Fisher (1), 70^th minute

Goaltenders
VIC: Sheriden Goodmanson (L, 70:00, 4 GA, 2-1)
UBC: Bea Francisco (W, 70:00, 2 GA, 3-0)
 
Players of the game
VIC: Sheriden Goodmanson (Victoria, BC)
UBC: Sophie Huijskens (Voorschoten, Netherlands)
 
STANDINGS, SCHEDULE & RESULTS (PACIFIC TIME)
 
Round-robin standings
 
                        GP       W        L          T          GF       GA      PTS
1. UBC             3          3          0          0          21        3          9
2. Victoria        3          1          1          0          8          4          6
3. Guelph         3          1          2          0          6          10        3
4. Waterloo     3          0          3          0          0          19        0
 
NOTE: 3 points for a win and 1 point for a tie.
 

Thursday, Oct. 31

16:30 Game 1: UBC 10, Waterloo 0
18:30 Game 2: Victoria 3, Guelph 0
 

Friday, Nov. 1

16:30 Game 3: UBC 7, Guelph 1
18:30 Game 4: Victoria 3, Waterloo 0
 

Saturday, Nov. 2

13:00 Game 5: Guelph 5, Waterloo 0
15:00 Game 6: UBC 4, Victoria 2
 

Sunday, Nov. 3

13:00 Bronze medal: Guelph vs. Waterloo (CIS-SIC.tv)
15:00 Championship final: Victoria vs. UBC (CIS-SIC.tv)
 
Note: All games will be played at UVIC Field 1.