VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds forward trio of seniors
Jasmin Dhanda and
Aman Shergill along with first-year Danielle Steer look poised to give opposing back lines fits in the coming Canada West season, as they produced three goals in a 3-0 victory over cross town rivals Simon Fraser in an exhibition match played Saturday afternoon at Thunderbird Stadium.
Dhanda scored twice, while Steer added the other and Shergill was dominant as the instigator on several T-Bird attacks.
"It started all from the back. Our defence kept the ball, played it around the back and our strikers have a much better connection this year," said Dhanda. "I'm super excited for the rest of the season. It's probably the best forward line we've had in all my five years here."
It was actually the Clan who came closest to opening up the scoring in the 32nd minute, when forward Jenna-Lee Baxter's looping shot off the right wing bounced off the top off the post behind UBC goalkeeper
Marlee Maracle.
Dhanda got UBC on the score sheet in the 44th minute when Brienna Shaw nodded
Rachel Jones' corner kick to the right boot of Dhanda. The UBC striker calmly slotted the ball into the top corner of the SFU net behind goalie Priya Sandhu.
Dhanda completed the brace in the 51st minute when she ran onto a pinpoint through ball, courtesy of
Margaret Hadley. The UBC scoring leader drilled the ball into the far corner, making it 2-0 'Birds.
The UBC strike force showed its chemistry in the 55th minute, when Shergill threaded a pass to Dhanda on the wing. Dhanda cut to the goal line and wisely pushed a pass across the goalmouth to Steer, who finished into an empty net.
The goal was Steer's first as a Thunderbird.
"Oh finally! It's super exciting," said Steer post-game. "When I was first coming into the line-up I was a little hesitant. Now I've really found my feet on the field."
"Dhanda, Aman, Dani they're all motivated and focused," explained UBC head coach
Jesse Symons. "They got a great goal today."
The only real adversity UBC face on the day came in the 76th minute when UBC midfielder
Jasmine Mander was given a straight red card for a slide tackle at midfield. UBC played the remainder of the match with 10 players.
UBC will open their Canada West season in September 2 when they travel to Victoria to square off against the UVic Vikes.
