VANCOUVER — The red hot No. 8 UBC Thunderbirds (4-0-2) were in control from start to finish, holding the Saskatchewan Huskies (3-2-1) at bay in a comfortable 2-0 win Saturday night, their fourth in a row.

UBC dominated possession early, patiently probing at the Huskies defence before diving in to attack. The Thunderbirds drew first blood in the 13th minute when sophomore Sophie Damian streaked down the right side and hammered a low shot at Saskatchewan keeper Jaydn Steinhauer. While the senior was able to knock that shot away, she had no chance on the rebound which landed on the boot of UBC forward Alyssa Hunt. She made no mistake, knocking in her team leading third goal of the year.
 
The Thunderbirds kept the pressure on from there, firing nine shots on target in the first half. But even more impressive was the defence that held the Huskies to just one shot attempt through 45 minutes of play.
 

Saskatchewan made some adjustments in the second half, playing more aggressively and evening out possession. Their best scoring chance came around the 55th minute on a beautiful high ball played in to the box from steady midfielder Hannah Zdunich-Costa. It flew in to a sea of players, before being deflected out and over the head of UBC keeper Emily Moore and pinging off the crossbar.
 
That was as close as the Huskies would get to tying this game, as in the 61st minute rookie Nisa Reehal, who came on as a substitute at half time, found herself with space just outside the Huskies' 18-yard box. A bouncing pass came her way, which she timed perfectly, stepping in to a beautiful strike with the ball a foot in the air that bulged the top right corner of the net. That highlight reel goal would be the final one of the match.
   
"Nisa, she's going to have a coming out party really soon I feel, as a first-year player," said UBC head coach Jesse Symons who was quick to praise his freshman midfielder. "She's playing in the middle, playing up front, overall a talented player we're lucky to have here."
 
Moore also picked up her fourth clean sheet in the match. She's allowed just one goal in five and a half games this season.
 
The T-Birds are back at it Friday night at the Matsqui Recreation Centre in Abbotsford, taking on Fraser Valley with a 7 p.m. PT kickoff.
 
The Huskies are running back to Saskatoon to take on Winnipeg next Saturday.