KELOWNA, B.C. – The UBC Thunderbirds (6-1-3) completed a six-point Interior road trip with a 1-0 victory over the UBC Okanagan Heat (1-9) Saturday night in Kelowna. Alyssa Hunt's goal in the 49th minute was the deciding marker as the 'Birds keep pace with their Pacific division rivals, remaining two points behind the Calgary Dinos and four back of the leading Trinity Western Spartans.
"I'm really proud of the mindset the team showed this weekend from back to front," said UBC head coach Jesse Symons following the T-Birds' sixth straight win over the Heat. "I felt our midfield of Tess McRae, Natasha Klasios, Sophie Damian, and Nisa Reehal got on the ball and really kept it through the two matches."
In a scoreless first half, strong defensive efforts from both sides kept the game square at zeros.
The T-Birds broke the game open early in the second half when Emma Peckinpaugh played the ball inside to Hunt who then split the defence and found the right side of the net, giving UBC the lead.
UBCO looked to bounce back with a great chance only minutes later. Maddy Laranjo stole the ball and moved it to Catriona McFadden, who found a streaking Jessica Ambrosio. However, the shot attempt off the foot of Ambrosio would sail over the net.
The Heat's chances continued but T-Birds' keeper Emily Moore recorded her fifth clean sheet of the season.
"We are really happy to leave the Interior with six points," added Symons. "We took strides forward with creating many chances in different ways and I felt the team has grown on the road."
The Thunderbirds will now gear up for a home-and-home series with the Victoria Vikes starting on Vancouver Island Thursday night. The 'Birds will host the Vikes Saturday at Thunderbird Stadium for the second half of the Legends Cup battle.
