The University of British Columbia Athletics

Calgary, AB – The UBC Thunderbirds women's hockey team edged out the Mount Royal University Cougars Friday evening with an 3-2 overtime win in Calgary. Fifth-year captain Sarah Casorso was the OT hero as she scored her third goal of the season in extra time to lead her team to victory, also earning first star of the game with this goal and 2 assists.
 
The first period saw UBC and MRU neck and neck with one goal apiece. The reigning Canada West Player of the Year, Tatiana Rafter, opened the scoring on the power play potting her second goal fo the season.
 
Mount Royal responded quickly with an equalizer from Rachel Piitz at 14:39 to make it 1-1.
 
In the second period, the Thunderbirds would once again connect on the power play. With under three minutes remaining in the frame, Nicole Saxvik scored her second goal of the year to give the Thunderbirds a 2-1 lead heading into the third period. 

UBC would hold on to that lead until the final minute when Mount Royal's Megan Carver jammed one past Samantha Langford with 57 seconds remaining to tie the game at two and send it to overtime.
 
While the first period of overtime was hotly contested by both sides,  neither team was able to find the back of the net. However, it took just 11 seconds into three-on-three action for Casorso to score the game winning goal and giving the Thunderbirds a 3-2 victory.

"Even though we won, we didn't play well tonight," said UBC head coach Graham Thomas. "We need way more focus and effort from everyone."

With the win UBC improves to 2-0-1 on the season whilte the Cougars fall to 1-1-1.
 
Langford made her second straight start for the Thunderbirds, making 31 saves in the victory.

Casorso finished the night with three points and is now fourth in the league in scoring through three games with three goals and two assists.

"Sarah was consistent, competed and gave her best every shift tonight," said Thomas. "This is a major reason why she is our captain. She led by example tonight and played with a lot of heart."
 
The two teams will face each other again tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. PST in Calgary at the Flames Community Arenas.