VANCOUVER – On another stunning night at Thunderbird Stadium, the No. 8 UBC Thunderbirds (3-0-2) continued their winning ways to defeat the Regina Cougars (1-3-1) 3-0 Friday night to stretch their winning streak to three.
It was a possession heavy first half for UBC, with the best chance of the opening stanza coming off the head of
Michelle Jang in the 20
th minute.
Emma Peckinpaugh knocked a great ball behind the Regina backline that fell kindly to Jang, whose header found the gloves of visiting keeper Savannah Williams.
The only real opportunity Regina was able to muster was a long free kick from distance by Taylor Bubnick that was parried over the bar by fourth year T-Bird keeper
Emily Moore.
The second half got under way with UBC again on the front foot, and a great move forward by standout Thunderbird
Katalin Tolnai, leading to a free kick opportunity for the home side from 20 yards out. Tolnai stepped up and placed a beautiful shot that nestled into the top corner for a 1-0 UBC lead.
In the 63
rd minute Tolnai got a ball through and went in on goal, but was taken down and landed awkwardly on her shoulder as she was forced to leave the game to receive treatment.
UBC came out flying after the injury, getting a goal from
Danielle Steer in injury time (90 + 2') to double their lead.
Several minutes later,
Anisha Sangha played a great ball into the 18-yard box that hit Williams, but it bounced back to
Sophie Damian who deposited the ball into the net for UBC's third and final goal.
"First half we didn't find our way, but the second half the players bought into the game plan and we were able to pull away," said UBC head coach
Jesse Symons who was pleased overall with his team's performance. "I feel as a program we want to keep a high tempo and high speed of play, which for the opposition is tough to play against. We're a team that's fit, physical, and fast, and I feel we showed that today and that allows us to create spaces and led to success tonight against Regina."
The T-Birds are back in action Saturday night hosting the Saskatchewan Huskies with a 6:30 p.m. PT kickoff at Thunderbird Stadium.
The Cougars head to Vancouver Island to take on the Victoria Vikes at Centennial Stadium at 5:00 p.m. PT.
