The Matchup
UBC was held scoreless in two of its first three games this season, but hope to solve their offensive woes and climb back up the rankings with a change of scenery this weekend.
On Friday the Thunderbirds meet a UFV squad (1-1-1) who are looking to leapfrog UBC (1-0-2) in the standings with a win.
Next up on Saturday, UBC takes on the undefeated Trinity Western Spartans who currently lead the division and are ranked 3rd in the weekly CIS Women's Soccer rankings. The Thunderbirds have dropped to fifth despite beginning the season as the top-seeded defending champions.
Last Action
UBC was disappointed with their tie against the MacEwan Griffins, considering they outshot the East Division visitors 16-2.
UFV picked up their first victory of the season with a 4-0 road win over the Saskatchewan Huskies. The Cascades sit just one point back of the Thunderbirds in Canada West Division standings.
Trinity Western swept their road trip last weekend after also topping the Huskies 4-0 and beating the Regina Cougars 1-0.
By the Numbers
0 – the number of goals UBC has allowed so far in conference games this season.
17.7 - the number of Thunderbird shots per game, among the top 10 in the CIS.
Players To Watch
Marlee Maracle – (#20, G) the veteran goalkeeper is riding a three game shutout streak that puts her atop the CIS in minutes played without allowing a goal (270:00).
Sydney Jennings – (#29, M) – as the second leading scorer on the Thunderbirds (3 goals & 1 assist), Jennings will look to help spark the UBC offence. Jennings also has the second most shots on goal this season (18) behind
Jasmin Dhanda's 37 attempts on net.
Coach's Take
"We have been creating many chances throughout our first 3 games and with the talent in the line-up the ball will go in. It would be more of an issue if we were not creating chances. It's a game of inches sometimes and we are just a little off here. It will come, I am confident about that," says UBC Head Coach
Jesse Symons. "We have lots of respect for the two programs we are playing this weekend. It is always tough going out to the Valley to play UFV and TWU. We are looking for pretty open games against the teams. Both teams have good attacking players and we will need to keep an eye on them, especially in transition."
