VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds will open their season at Thunderbird Stadium for the first time since 2013, as they host the top-ranked Trinity Western Spartans on Friday, September 6, and the UFV Cascades on Saturday, September 7.
UBC is ranked second in the Canada West preseason coaches poll, just behind the Spartans, and will be hungry to better their fourth-place finish in the Canada West playoffs last season.
Returning for her third season with the 'Birds is 2018 First Team Canada West All Star and U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian
Danielle Steer. The Surrey, B.C. forward led the Canada West in scoring a season ago - finishing with ten goals and ten assists in twelve regular season starts.
Reigning Canada West Rookie of the Year Michelle Jang is also back after a standout debut for UBC, earning U SPORTS All-Rookie honours after tallying 11 points in the regular season. Second in scoring behind Steer, Jang totalled eight goals - including three game-winners in her rookie campaign.
In addition to Steer and Jang, T-Bird head coach Jesse Symons is looking forward to key contributions throughout his roster.
"Alyssa Hunt, Amelia Crawford and Natasha Klasios are all very experienced attacking players that should help when needing a goal," said Symons. "Having goals come from Sophie Damian and Katalin Tolnai will be a very strong addition this season. Defensively we have a very senior mix of players that will be organized and determined to manage the strong attacking players in Canada West. Emma Peckinpaugh, Taylor Reynolds, Marisa Mastropieri, and Anisha Sangha had a very good preseason in tough games which I am excited to see them continue."
The T-Birds are coming off a tough preseason schedule against NCAA squads that concluded with an impressive 2-0 victory over the Washington Vikings in front of a jam-packed Thunderbird Stadium last weekend.
Symons was pleased with his squad's progress through the non-conference games. "The team has shown great character to want to play together and find solutions to be successful during matches," said Symons. "The tempo they have been playing at in and out of possession has been very exciting to see this early in the season."
Symons expects a battle from both Trinity Western and UFV as they start the season on home turf.
"They'll be organized, and we'll need to come out on the front door to be successful. We are looking forward to starting the 2019 journey in front of our fans and hopefully get off on the right foot!"
UBC's home opener kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Friday against the Spartans, with game two of opening weekend set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday with the Cascades.
