SEATTLE – On the strength of two first-half goals by fifth-year forward Jasmin Dhanda, the UBC Thunderbirds women's soccer team earned a 2-2 draw against the Seattle Pacific Falcons Friday afternoon.
 
"It was a good game for the group to get a lot of minutes to all the players," said UBC head coach Jesse Symons. "For long stretches during the match, we kept good possession and also created good attacks wide and central. Even in pre-season we must be aware of controlling the match for 90 minutes especially with a one-goal lead late."
 
Dhanda's two goals allowed UBC to take a 2-1 lead into halftime but a late tally by the host Falcons, an NCAA Division II program that finished third in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in 2016, to salvage a tie. Both of Dhanda's goals were assisted by first year forward Danielle Steer, who hasn't looked at all out of place playing at the varsity level.
 
"The first two weeks of pre-season are done, which built a good foundation and growth from the entire group," said Symons. "Looking forward to the next two weeks leading to the season opener."
 

The score at half time @ubcwsoc 2 SPU 1 @JasminDhanda with the brace

— UBC Women's Soccer (@ubcwsoc) August 18, 2017

Symons selected Dhanda as the Thunderbird of the game.

"Jasmin has come in very motivated to get to goal and is doing really well," he said of the two-time U SPORTS All-Canadian. "I'm really looking forward to seeing her play this last year."
 
The two-time defending Canada West champion Thunderbirds have recorded two ties so far in 2017, after a 1-1 draw at Seattle last week. They continue their preparations for the 2017 conference season, as UBC will host two games Tuesday, Aug. 22 on campus. The T-Birds will face Langara College at 2 p.m., and then Western Washington, the reigning NCAA Division II champions at 5 p.m.