VICTORIA -The 2016 Canada West women's soccer season got started Saturday afternoon as the reigning national champion UBC Thunderbirds were held to a scoreless draw against the UVic Vikes at Centennial Stadium in Victoria.
 
Despite several glorious scoring chances, the T-Birds weren't able to put a ball past Vikes' goalkeeper Meaghan Storie
 
UBC striker Jasmin Dhanda was a threat for the 'Blue and Gold' all game long. Her five shots on goal led all players in the contest. 
 
Dhanda and Storie came face to face early in the game, when Dhanda broke away from the UVic defence and came in all-alone on the Vikes goalie. Storie was able to stretch out and make a diving save to tip Dhanda's shot away from the goal.
 
"We created a bundle of chances, we kept the ball well," said UBC Head Coach Jesse Symons. "We defended set pieces exceptionally well, so overall it was a good game."

Today's starting 11 vs @uvicvikes pic.twitter.com/VJgdr8cZfa

— UBC Women's Soccer (@ubcwsoc) September 3, 2016

 
UBC goalkeeper Marlee Maracle thwarted any scoring chances the Vikes could muster, while Aman Shergill's defending in front of Marcale was stout.
 
"For Marlee to come off an injured season last year and play the match she did in goal was very impressive, "said Symons. "She kept her positioning well, she was commanding."
 
Symons was also quick to heap praise on his fourth-year centreback Shergill.
 
"Her experience and her ability to play out of the back were top-notch. We will be very hard to break down with Aman commanding and controlling our backline."
 
UBC plays its home opener next Friday against the Mount Royal Cougars at 5 PM at Thunderbird Stadium.

-with files from David Conlin (Vikes Media)