SASKATOON – The UBC Thunderbirds used two quick goals in the second half to seal a 3-0 win over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in a Canada West quarter-final on a windy Sunday afternoon on Field 7 in PotashCorp Park.
The reigning Canada West champion T-Birds had a 1-0 lead after the first 45 minutes and struck twice in the first seven minutes of the second half.
"The players from the beginning of the match really showed their maturity," said UBC head coach
Jesse Symons. "Playing in very difficult conditions we found ways to break through and control the match. It is exciting to see the team play so together at this time of the year."
With the win, UBC advances to the Canada West Final Four hosted by the highest remaining Prairie Division school.
UBC opened the scoring in the 29th minute on a fortunate break from a corner kick.
Rachel Jones took the corner and the ball bent into the top right corner.
The Huskies had a good chance to even the score in the 39th minute when Rebecca Weckworth took a free kick just outside the box. Her shot hit the top left part of the crossbar.
Aman Shergill scored the T-Birds second goal in the 48th minute when
Jessica Williams tipped her the ball to beat Huskies' netminder Kyleigh Vause.
"After we got the second goal I felt we had more momentum and really controlled play," said Shergill. "The weather was a factor, but it didn't really effect us moving the ball. We came together well and played to our strengths."
Just four minutes later, Williams was left alone in front of the net and her shot just trickled by Vause. It was Williams' first career goal for UBC.
"It's a pretty cool feeling to score in the run of play," explained Williams. "I wanted to influence the game and was excited to add to the score sheet for the team, with it being playoff time."
UBC keeper
Marlee Maracle made three saves in the match win, while Vause stopped one save at the other end of the pitch for the Huskies.
The Canada West Final Four is slated for November 3-4.
