The Matchup

It'll be a short but tough weekend for UBC as they host their island foes - the UVic Vikes - on Saturday at Thunderbird Stadium. UVic (5-1-3) is just two points up on the (4-1-4) 'Birds in the Canada West standings with just three weeks and three home games left in the Thunderbird's regular season.
 
The T-Birds kicked off their 2016-17 campaign with a tight 0-0 draw with the Vikes in Victoria last month. Although they fired 8 shots on goal, including Jasmin Dhanda's 5 on target, Vikes keeper Meaghan Storie kept UBC off the scoreboard. The Thunderbirds will be gunning for goals this weekend and aiming to leapfrog the Vikes for third in their division.
 

Last Action

It was a goal-scoring frenzy for UBC last weekend, netting a total of 10 goals against UBCO and Thompson Rivers on home turf. The Thunderbirds showed off their depth on a weekend that saw Dhanda dominate with 4 goals and 3 assists leading her team to two big victories.


 
The Vikes met the same two teams last week, and came away with 4-0 and 3-1 wins over Thompson Rivers and UBCO respectively to keep a 2-point cushion over UBC. Victoria is also riding a three-game winning streak into their road trip to Vancouver this weekend.
 

By the Numbers

11 – the combined number of shutouts by both teams this season. UBC and UVic have performed consistently well defensively in front of solid goalkeeping all year - among the tops in the CIS.
 
19.7 – the average number of Thunderbird shots per game, 6 more than the Vikes - which correlates to 6 more goals than Victoria so far this year.
 

Players To Watch

Jasmin Dhanda – (#9, F) – Dhanda continues to dazzle in her attack, putting up 19 points in her last 4 games and leading the Thunderbirds front line. 
 

UBC'S SPORTS STARS OF THE WEEK! Jasmin Dhanda (soccer), Trivel Pinto (football), Jeese Hooton (XC)! https://t.co/MBst48MhIk@ubctbirds pic.twitter.com/pGMzj6z8d0

— Howard Tsumura (@htsumura) October 5, 2016

 
Madison Guy – (#13, D) – The 5th year defender adds to the reliable Thunderbird defensive core and potted her first goal on the season last weekend over Thompson Rivers.

Coach's Take

"We had a hard fought game to start the season vs. UVic away. Over the past month we have grown dramatically both in and out of possession and are excited to get a good measure of where we are at as we begin our October schedule," says UBC Head Coach Jesse Symons. "The team is in a very good place right now. Last weekend against UBCO and TRU we had access to almost our full roster for the first time this season. We were able to get 2 good results and perform at a good level through the games."