The Matchup
Coming off an undefeated pre-season, the Thunderbirds will kick off the Canada West regular season in Victoria on Saturday at 2:00 pm PST.
The game can be watched live on CanadaWest.TV. UBC has their sights set on a return to the national championship with a strong mix of graduating seniors and fresh faces taking to the pitch.
T-Bird Head Coach
Jesse Symons knows his team has the necessary experience to be successful in the 2017 campaign.
"Having core players returning for this season has really shown through in pre-season. We're focused on getting better every day and the seniors are mobilizing the rest of the team really well. They'll continue to lead the team through the next couple months leading to playoffs."
Last Action
UBC claimed their second straight Canada West crown in 2016, but came up just shy of defending their CIS title - falling 2-1 to Laval in the final. In a tune-up tour this August, the Thunderbirds played to two draws in Seattle before returning to Vancouver and racking up three straight exhibition victories against Langara College, Western Washington and SFU.
The Vikes fell to the Huskies in the Canada West Select Six to end their 2016 campaign, but picked up back-to-back pre-season wins in 2017.
By the Numbers
1 – the number of Thunderbird losses on the road in conference play last season.
25 – the combined number of goals scored in the 2016-2017 season by the dynamic graduating duo of
Aman Shergill and
Jasmin Dhanda.
Players To Watch
Aman Shergill – (#7, F) – the graduating senior scored 22 points (9 goals and 4 assists) in 22 games for UBC last season - notching a hat trick in the Canada West final and the T-Birds' lone goal on a penalty strike in the CIS final. Shergill has three goals in two preseason games coming into the season opener.
Marlee Maracle – (#20, G) – the Oakville, Ontario native backstopped the 'Birds to 10 clean sheets in 2016 and is returning to the net for her final season with UBC.
Coach's Take
Coach Symons sees the early road trip as a great bonding opportunity to start the season.
"It brings us together and allows the team to [have] some extra time together as we grow and progress. School is just beginning so there are a few less stresses on the players."
