The tenth-ranked UBC Thunderbirds continue a four-game home stand with a pair of Pacific division battles this weekend, hosting the UBC Okanagan Heat Friday, September 21^st and the Thompson Rivers WolfPack on Saturday, September 22^nd.

A goal explosion by the 'Birds (3-2-0) powered them to a home opener win last Friday over Lethbridge but UBC's powerful offence was stifled by a resilient Calgary squad the following day. Having dropped two of their last three contests, the T-Birds are looking to make the most of their home turf, aiming for a six-point weekend in the all-important divisional race.



UBC currently sits second in the Pacific, just behind the top-ranked and undefeated Trinity Western Spartans. The Heat (2-1-1) are also looking to get back in the win column after suffering their first loss of the season last weekend while the WolfPack (1-3-0) have struggled out of the gate and sit just one point ahead of the last place UFV Cascades.

Kick off Friday against the Heat is 7:00 p.m. PT at Thunderbird Stadium while Saturday's match with the WolfPack is at 5:30 p.m. PT at Ken Woods Field.
 

Last Action

UBC scored four times in the second half Friday to shutout the visiting Pronghorns, but the 'Birds failed to find the back of the net for the first time this season in Saturday's 1-0 loss to the Dinos.

The Heat suffered their first loss of 2018 in Edmonton last Sunday by way of a 3-0 loss to the Pandas.

TRU was on the losing end of both matches on an Alberta road trip dropping a 5-0 decision to Alberta last Saturday followed by a 4-1 loss to Mount Royal Sunday.
 

Players to Watch

Emma Cunningham (#10, M) – The third-year midfielder scored her first goal of the season last Friday against the Pronghorns and added an assist. The West Vancouver product has appeared in three games so far for the T-Birds and sits second in team scoring with three points.



Melissa Bustos (#9, M) – Bustos has appeared in all five games for the 'Birds, four of them coming in as a substitute providing a spark of energy. After missing all of last season due to injury, the rookie midfielder has impressed her head coach and is expected to see increased playing time this weekend
 

Coach's Take

The 'Birds suffered their first shutout loss of the season to the Dinos last Saturday, but it wasn't for a lack of scoring opportunities.

"Even after the result on Saturday, the team felt quite good," said UBC head coach Jesse Symons. "We got in the penalty box, we created chances, unfortunately some games they don't go in and we're going to make sure we don't let that happen again with maybe a little more of a mindset when we get in those spaces to finish them off. I think overall we've been very good controlling teams in the run of play, now it's just about putting that all together."

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UBC has been led by the foot of Danielle Steer who sits atop the conference with four goals and seven points, but Symons is looking for some of his younger offensive threats to begin making their mark.

"Melissa Bustos has come in late in some games, she's shown a lot of technique and trickery and she's one that we're going to look for this weekend to try to supply a lot to our attacking players. Alyssa Hunt, Michelle Jang, Amelia Crawford, Liesanne Musico are four that can score at any moment just with their ability and athleticism so they're ones that I think can have breakout weekends and get around goal a lot."