The University of British Columbia Athletics

 
VANCOUVER - Amidst a dense fog at David Sidoo Field at Thunderbird Stadium, the No. 7-ranked UBC women's soccer team came together and emerged as a team with their first win of the season over the No. 4 University of Victoria Vikes with a score of 1-0. 

The victory was the first for the T-Birds under new head coach Andrea Neil.

BOX SCORE
 
Following a fairly evenhanded, scoreless first half, UBC's first marker came from an own-goal by Victoria in the 64th minute of play when a miscommunicated pass by Vikes defender Mallory Hackett rolled past her goaltender Tanya Jones and into the back of their net.
 
That play would stand as the sole goal of the match, but plenty of excitement at both ends made for a good game despite poor visibility.
 
Following the game, Neil awarded full credit for the victory to her team, who she praised highly for their united effort this evening. Neil reflected that work still needed to be done on coming together as a group, indicating it would be the team's top priority moving forward.
 
From the starting whistle, the Thunderbirds came out of the gates flying with an almost immediate scoring opportunity on a play which began with a free kick by Aman Shergill. Forward Janine Frazao made a cross over to Nicole Sydor in front of the net, whose quick shot hit the post and was cleared.
 
Energized by a lively Homecoming Crowd, Katherine Caverly, Madison Guy, and Shayla Chorney confidently commanded the ball in the middle of the field, though Victoria midfielder Jaclyn Sawicki did well to challenge their efforts.
 
The Vikes' first scoring opportunity was initiated by a Lindsay Hoetzel corner kick in the 11th minute of play, but it was deftly snatched mid-air by Thunderbird netminder Alyssa Williamson, who performed her impressive acrobatics between the posts. Williamson denied another strike on net by Hoetzel in the 37th minute by redirecting the ball mid-air and out of harm's way.
 
A minute later, amidst a surge of offensive pressure, Victoria rang another shot directly off the crossbar.
 
Certainly a tough match for both sides with dominant periods of possession held by each, ultimately Victoria was unable to finish on their chances, having to face a solid line of UBC defense comprised of Taryn Lim, Shergill, and Caverly, whose joint-forces were commended by head coach Neil.
 
At one point, defender Lim took a knee to the face from an opposing player on a remarkable defensive clear, and after receiving brief medical attention she returned to the field to resume her assertive role.

With under two minutes remaining, an exciting offensive effort by T-Birds' Frazao, Tamara Roughead, and Rachael Sawer almost brought a second goal for UBC. In response, Victoria made one final push back into the UBC zone but time ran out on the attempt as the referee blew the final whistle.
 
UBC outshot the Vikes 5-4, but were tied at four shots on goal by the end of 90 minutes.
 
This win marks the squad's first win of the season, whose record is now 1-0-2.
 
Next weekend, the team heads to Saskatchewan where they will face the University of Regina Cougars on Saturday, Sept. 21 and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Sunday, Sept. 22. Both games are at 11 a.m. Pacific.
 
Victoria has road games at Mt. Royal University and the University of Alberta next weekend.

Live stats can be followed at canadawest.tv

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