VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds (8-2-4) are Prairie bound as they get set to open the post season with a Canada West play in meeting against the Lethbridge Pronghorns (1-6-7) in a contest that will be hosted by the Saskatchewan Huskies this Friday, October 25 with a 1:00 p.m. PT kickoff at Potashcorp Park.
 
With a win, the T-Birds would advance to quarter-final action and a meeting two days later Sunday, October 27 against the Saskatchewan Huskies (8-2-4) who finished in second overall in the Prairie Division with 28 points, kickoff would go at 2:00 p.m. PT.
 
UBC concluded the regular season occupying third spot in the Pacific Division standings with 28 points while the Pronghorns secured the sixth and final playoff berth in the Prairie Division with a 10 point campaign.


 
There is some recent familiarity between the two squads as they squared off almost a month and a half ago where it was the "Birds coming away with a 4-0 decision September, 15 in Lethbridge. After the Pronghorns allowed an own goal, UBC saw further contributions from Alyssa Hunt, Vanessa Tome and Nisa Reehal to round out the scoring.
 

Last Action

 
In their final weekend of regular season competition on home turf, the T-Birds battled the Conferences second place Calgary Dinos to a 0-0 draw last Friday on a night where they recognized thier graduating seniors. Less than 24 hours later the hosts earned a 3-1 victory against UNBC, 'Birds leading scorer Alyssa Hunt led the way with her fifth and sixth tallies of the season while Michelle Jang chipped in with her second marker.
 

 WSOC | @ubcwsoc enjoys a 3-1 victory over visiting @UNBCATHLETICS to close out @CanadaWest regular season. Next up Playoffs baby!#GoBirdsGo

: @RichLamPhoto

: https://t.co/ecE5cHqPEd

— UBC Thunderbirds / @UBCTBirds (@ubctbirds) October 20, 2019

 
Lethbridge finished the season with road games in Manitoba beginning with a 1-1 draw against the Winnipeg Wesmen last Friday followed by a 2-0 loss against the Manitoba Bisons on Saturday.
 

 WSOC | @ubcwsoc holds onto their lead claiming the win over @UNBC. Final score 3-1. #GoBirdsGo pic.twitter.com/h6ZogMhCz9

— UBC Thunderbirds / @UBCTBirds (@ubctbirds) October 20, 2019

 
Heading into the playoffs UBC can feel pretty confident in their overall game especially their defensive prowess having given up the third least goals against in the Conference with 9 compared to the Pronghorns who've have given up the 10^th most goals against with 22.


 
At the other end of the field the T-Birds scored the eighth most goals for with 21, led by the previously mentioned fifth-year forward Alyssa Hunt's six markers. Lethbrige was just behind in scoring nine goals good for 14^th best in Canada West while being led by defender Jesse Dueck and midfielder Colette Motakham who each registered three tallies this season.
 

Coach's Take

 
UBC head coach Jesse Symons has been pleased with his team's efficiency and attention to detail as they head into the post season.
 
"We have been very good defensively all season which is important as we lead into playoff," said Symons. "Our possession has been excellent through midfield and we are creating a lot based off of this." 
 
Symons also shared his thoughts on what he expects from the Pronghorns this time around, a month and a half after their regular season meeting.
 
"Lethbridge has some strong defensive structure and has held many teams to tight games all season. We were fortunate scoring early last time and hope to get out on the front foot again."