The University of British Columbia Athletics

Vancouver, BC - For the second straight game to start the season, the UBC Thunderbirds women's soccer team settled for a draw, tieing University of the Fraser Valley Cascades 1-1 Friday night on home turf at David Sidoo Field at Thunderbird Stadium. Following a scoreless draw with the defending national champions Trinity Western last weekend, the team's record now stands at 0-0-2.
 
BOX SCORE


Despite having controlled possession for a laudable amount of the first half, the T-Birds were unable to capitalize on their numerous chances in front of the net. Forwards Janine Frazao, Nicole Sydor, and Shayla Chorney utilized their fancy foot work on offense to create a number of opportunities directly in front of the Cascades' net, but ultimately, were unable to complete those chances.
 
Back on defense, first year Aman Shergill had a solid game throughout by shutting down attempts by UFV forwards to penetrate the UBC zone. Most of the Cascades' offensive chances in the first half went wide of the net or were easily snatched up by Thunderbird netminder Alyssa Williamson.
 
However, with under two minutes remaining in the opening half, Fraser Valley was awarded a freekick 35 yards out, which was a monstrous boot by Cascade Tristan Corneil that soared over the defensive zone, deflected off the head of UBC midfielder Christina Donnelly, and into the far right corner of the net beyond her goaltender's reach.
 
Despite having outshot their opponent 5-2 in the first half, the T-Birds went into halftime with a one-goal deficit.
 
Upon kickoff of the second half, it was evident that the Cascades had a newly reinvigorated energy following their goal, applying noticeably more pressure on UBC's possessions and containing the ball in UBC's zone for a majority of the 45 minutes.
 
Thunderbird midfielder Taylor Shannik fought back at the Cascades' newfound force and hustled a number of balls out of the T-Birds zone and up the field. An incredible and nearly unimaginable soaring save up in the far right corner of the net by Williamson also prevented UFV from adding a point to their lead.
 
In the 82^nd minute, a header by Madison Guy finally found the back of the net for the Thunderbirds off of a cross from Frazao.
 
Immediately after Guy's goal, UBC was back in Fraser Valley's defensive zone where forward Rachael Sawer rang a shot directly off the crossbar.
 
The Thunderbirds seemed to bring back the fire in the final 10 minutes, applying solid pressure on offense.
 
With under two minutes remaining in the game, a quick rush by Cascade Lana Rockhill brought the crowd to the edge of their seats, but the play was quickly ruled offside. UFV was awarded a corner kick in the dying seconds of the game but could not capitalize on the opportunity.
 
After 90 minutes, the two teams settled for a 1-1 draw. Shots were even at seven aside, UFV with six of those shots on net and UBC with four.
 
Cascade keeper Kayla Klim made three saves and Williamson had five for UBC.
 
Commenting after the game, UBC head coach Andrea Neil described that her team's performance "wasn't a collective effort."

Asked whether there would be any changes before the team's next game against the University of Victoria tomorrow night, Neil indicated that she would "have to reassess."
 
The Thunderbirds will return to David Sidoo Field at Thunderbird Stadium tomorrow night (Saturday) to face the UVic Vikes, ranked fourth nationally, at 7:30 p.m. (PST).