VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds (2-0-4) closed out their home portion of the 2019 Canada West schedule with a fourth consecutive draw, this time a 1-1 contest against the Calgary Dinos (0-2-3) on Sunday at Wright Field.
 
"I think our girls did excellent today," said UBC head coach Poonam Sandhu of her team's effort. "We had the opportunities, we just needed to make sure we put it in the net."
 
Sandhu was right, the 'Birds definitely dominated the match, especially in the second half where they peppered Calgary's defence for what felt like the entire 30 minutes.


 
The Dinos though were able to open scoring in the ninth minute when forward Lauren Hayes was able to get a good shot off, bouncing it past 'Birds netminder Hannah Rumble.
 
The rest of the half saw some good opportunities fall by the wayside thanks to strong defensive play from both sides. With just two minutes remaining in the half the 'Birds were finally able to solve Dino's keeper Tayler Guy.

?? WFH | A goal late in the 2nd allows @ubcwfieldhockey to tie it up against @UCDinos. Score reads 1-1 at Wright Field. #GoBirdsGo pic.twitter.com/XEwj8NhG5j

— UBC Thunderbirds / @UBCTBirds (@ubctbirds) October 6, 2019

Off a UBC corner, Sara Goodman elected not to take the shot, instead dumping it off to Thora Rae, who put the ball into the back of the net.
 
The second half saw countless great saves from both Guy and UBC's Ava Aminbakhsh, who entered the game at the half, stifling offensive opportunities from both sides.
 
After the game, the 'Birds honoured two graduating seniors, Niki Best, a fifth year forward from Coquitlam, and defender Josianne Haag from North Vancouver who is in her second year with the program.


 
"They're excellent leaders on this team, they do so much not only on the field but off the field as well," Sandhu added. "They are definitely going to be missed and we wish them nothing but the best."
 
Both teams close out their regular season schedule against the Victoria Vikes. The Dinos head to Vancouver Island October 19^th and 20^th while the Thunderbirds are in Victoria the following weekend for the second leg of the Legends Cup series.


SCORING SUMMARY
CGY – Lauren Hayes FG, 9', 1-0 CGY
UBC – Thora Rae PC, 28', 1-1
 
GOALKEEPERS
CGY – Tayler Guy, 60 MP, 1 GA
UBC – Hannah Rumble, 30 MP, 1 GA
UBC – Ava Aminbakhsh, 30 MP, 0 GA
 
CARDS
CGY – Emily Smith GC, 47'
UBC – Sanehpreet Basra GC, 59'