VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds Women's Soccer Team will face the stiffest tests of their young Canada West season this weekend, as they head out on the road to take on the nationally-ranked Trinity Western University Spartans (No. 2) on Friday, September 11, and the University of Fraser Valley Cascades (No. 7) on Saturday, September 12. Friday's kick-off is set for 5 p.m. at Rogers Field in Langley, B.C., while Saturday's contest is scheduled to start at 6:15 pm at Abbotsford Senior Secondary School in Abbotsford, B.C.

The T-Birds are coming into the weekend looking to continue the solid form from their season opener against the University of Victoria last week. In a 1-0 win over the Vikes, third-year forward Jasmin Dhanda (Surrey, B.C.) was the difference offensively, as she capitalized on an excellent through ball from Taylor Shannik (Delta, B.C.) and outmaneuvered Victoria 'keeper Meaghan Storie before tapping the ball into an empty cage. At the other end of the pitch, Olivia de Goede (Victoria, B.C.) was excellent between the pipes for UBC, making four big stops en route to her first clean sheet of the season and the Canada West Third Star of the Week honour.

The Spartans, for whom Friday's match will serve as a season opener, are looking to defend their 2014-15 Canada West Title and make a return to CIS nationals, where they fell to Laval in the finals. Following key departures like Jessica King, last year's CIS Player of the Year, and stout defender Jennifer Castillo, the Spartan squad has a distinctly different look this year, featuring 10 new recruits. However, talent and veteran leadership remain in abundance, with fifth-year midfielder Vanessa Kovacs among those set to take the reins for TWU.

Like Trinity Western, Fraser Valley had an excellent 2014-15 campaign, earning a silver medal in Canada West play, and finishing fourth at the CIS tournament. However, unlike TWU, UFV will see a vast majority of last year's marquee players make a return to the pitch. The Cascades will be led offensively by forwards Shelby Beck and Monika Levarsky, who combined for 12 goals last season. UFV will also see the return of veteran goalkeeper Kayla Klim, who posted a sparkling .841 save percentage and six clean sheets last year.

UFV's showdown with UBC will be their second match of the season, as they're set to open their campaign against Victoria on Friday.

UBC head coach Marissa Kovacs is well of the challenges that the two high-caliber opponents this weekend will pose for her side, but his confident in the work the team has done to prepare for them.

"I think our girls had a great week of practice. We've trained hard, and we've been focused. Coming off a win in Victoria, we want to continue to build and work towards making the Canada West playoffs," said Kovacs. "We know that these are two very strong teams in our conference, so we know it's a tough weekend, but I think we're prepared and excited for the challenge."