VANCOUVER – Two second half goals by the still unbeaten UBC Thunderbirds (6-0-1) pushed them to a 3-1 victory over the Calgary Dinos (0-5-0) at Wright Field on Saturday morning.
Margaret Pham,
Jordyn Faiczak and
Sophie Jones, off a penalty corner, had consecutive markers for UBC after Jenna Bower had opened the scoring for Calgary.
The Dinos caused the some tense moments for UBC, as they dominated the game's opening minutes and were rewarded in the 6th minute when Bower neatly deflected a shot behind T-Bird keeper
Gabriella Switzer off a penalty corner.
Calgary goalie Madison Arbuckle stood tall as UBC slanted the field against her. The 'Birds couldn't finish off their scoring chances despite a flurry of activity in the Dinos goal crease.
But the 'Birds were finally rewarded for their efforts in the 32nd minute when Pham corralled a loose ball in the scoring area and fired a waist high shot past Arbuckle's stick side. The goal was the fourth on the season for Pham, tops in Canada West.
"My success this year is attributed to the team's hard work," explained Pham. "We've been passing the ball well."
UBC kept pushing forward throughout the second half and found the back of the net again in the 49th minute. In highlight reel fashion, Faiczak perfectly deflected
Abbey MacLellan's shot over Arbuckle's shoulder.
Jones added an insurance goal in the 62nd minute when her perfectly placed shot off a penalty corner grazed the inside of the post, skipping over the goal line.
With a Canada West title already clinched Pham was satisfied with the way UBC were motivated in the victory. The Thunderbirds will host the champions of the OUA in the U SPORTS national championship on November 3, 4 and 5.
"We are trying to use these games as preparation for the national championships," added Pham. "We need to make sure we are using the skills and tactics we need to be successful."
UBC finished off their regular season on Sunday when they have the re-match with the Dinos at 11am on Wright Field.
SCORING SUMMARY
Calgary 1 0 –
1
UBC 1 2 –
3
GOAL SCORERS
Calgary – #6 Jenna Bower, PC, 3', 1-0 Calgary
UBC – #11
Margaret Pham, FG, 32', 1-1
UBC - #13
Jordyn Faiczak, FG, 49', 2-1 UBC
UBC - #22
Sophie Jones, PC, 62', 3-1 UBC
GOALKEEPERS
Calgary – Madison Arbuckle, 70 MP, 3 GA
UBC –
Gabriella Switzer 70 MP, 1 GA
CARDS
Calgary – Danica Heath, (59', GC)
UBC –
Niki Best, (54', GC)
