VANCOUVER – The No. 4-ranked UBC Thunderbirds women's soccer team (8-1-1) will aim to continue their impressive form this weekend, as they prepare to take on the Calgary Dinos (7-2-1) and Lethbridge Pronghorns (2-5-3) in back-to-back contests road contests. The game in Calgary is set for Saturday October 17, while the Lethbridge contest is scheduled for Saturday, October 18. Both matches will kick off 11 a.m. (PT).
 
Even with their most recent result, a 2-2 draw against the Victoria Vikes last weekend, the T-Birds will be riding a ton of momentum into the game with Calgary, as the squad remains undefeated in their last seven games. As impressive as their offence has been over the run, their goaltending and defensive effort has been equally, if not more, crucial. Over the seven-game unbeaten streak, the 'Birds have only surrendered a total of four goals, and goalkeeper Olivia de Goede (Victoria, B.C.) has earned four clean sheets.
 
Head coach Marisa Kovacs was quick to talk up the impressive play that she's received from her backline and 'keeper, making particular note of her centre backs.
 
"Our defence has meshed really well together this season, Kovacs remarked. "Obviously, Olivia has been excellent for us, but our backline has really forced teams to take tough shots from difficult angles, making Olivia's job a little easier. I think our centre backs, Aman [Shergill] and Krista [Whittaker] really communicate well and orchestrate well from the back."
 
While UBC currently sit atop Canada West's Pacific Division, the Dinos' 22 points have them on top of the Prairie Division. The driving force behind Calgary's lofty ranking is third-year forward Jordan Smith, whose six markers has her in a four-way tie in the Canada West goal scoring race, with one of her fellow leading goal scorers none other than UBC's Jasmin Dhanda (Surrey, B.C.). Fourth-year midfielder Mollee Ramsay has been hot on Smith's tail with five goals of her own, while third-year midfielder Maddie Lee has been the team's primary facilitator, racking up five assists on the season.
 
Kovacs has been paying close attention to the offensive burst that Calgary possesses, and noted that her squad's ability to run with the Dinos for the full 90 minutes will be key.
 
"Calgary is a good side – obviously, they're at the top of the Prairie division for a reason," noted the second-year head coach. "We know that we're going to be in for quite a battle, as they have some solid strikers and are pretty deep up front, so our fitness is definitely going to play in. Going up there the night before should help in that regard. They play a quick tempo, so we're going to have to get our legs moving early."
Unlike both Calgary and UBC, Lethbridge have not been in form over the first 10 games of the season. Having only scored two goals in their last seven matches, the Pronghorns have gone 0-4-3 over that stretch. The lack of depth on offense is apparent for Lethbridge, as of the 10 players who have started at least eight games, only two players have managed to score a goal, with midfielder Nikki Furukawa bagging three, and defender Kim Shellenberg with two.
 
Before UBC makes their way to Lethbridge, the Pronghorns will have a shot to take down the visiting Vikes and slow their recent skid.
 
Despite Lethbridge's recent form and record, Kovacs isn't taking any opponent lightly.
 
"We prepare for every opponent the same way, no matter who they are," said Kovacs. "Our mentality is always going to be the same, regardless of where are or they are in the standings. You never know how any given game is going to go, especially on the road, so we're certainly not overlooking them."
 
After a weekend in Alberta, the T-Birds will return home for their final weekend of regular season play next week, as the Fraser Valley Cascades and Trinity Western Spartans make their way to Thunderbird Stadium for games on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24.
 
Purchase tickets to the CIS women's soccer championship, which will take place Nov. 12-15 at Thunderbird Stadium.