VANCOUVER – The No. 4-ranked UBC Thunderbirds begin the post-season on Friday as they host the Thompson Rivers WolfPack in a Canada West women's soccer regional playoffs match at Thunderbird Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
 
As host of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) women's soccer championship, UBC already has a berth to the national tournament, which will run Nov. 12-15, also at Thunderbird Stadium. UBC lost in the quarter-final round last season.
 
The winner of Friday's contest will advance to the league's Select Six hosted by the highest-seeded team from the Prairie Division. If UBC wins, the team will get a bye in the first round of the Select Six.
 
The Thunderbirds beat the WolfPack 4-0 at Hillside Stadium in Kamloops, B.C., in their only meeting of the season, on Sept. 27. Madison Guy (Langley, B.C.) scored a sixth-minute goal before Jasmin Dhanda (Surrey, B.C.) found the net twice in quick succession (70th and 75th minutes). Shayla Chorney (Vancouver) rounded out the scoring in the 77th.
 
"Anything can happen. I think our players are prepared and we didn't come this far to slip up now but we know we're going to be in for a battle for sure," said UBC head coach Marisa Kovacs. "A 4-0 score line seems like we might have dominated the match but at times that wasn't the case. We have to be ready for sure."
 
Undefeated in 11 matches, UBC comes into the match as the league's West Division champions after an 11-1-2 season while TRU claimed the sixth and final playoff spot after finishing at 5-7-2.
 
Dhanda led the Thunderbirds in scoring with eight goals in 14 league games, which was also good for second in the entire Canada West.
 
Goalkeeper Olivia de Goede (Victoria, B.C.) went 10-1-2 during the season and had a conference-best seven shutouts.
 
TRU forwards Danielle Fauteux and Jaydene Radu led the way offensively with five and four goals, respectively, while midfielder Taylor Miller had three.
 
Purchase tickets to the game this weekend and to the CIS women's soccer championship.