VANCOUVER – Despite enjoying the run of play and several grade A chances the UBC Thunderbirds where unlucky not to find the back of the net in a 0-0 draw under heavy rain at Thunderbird Stadium Saturday night.
It was the final game of the season for the Spartans who finish as the number one seed in Canada West thanks to their 11-0-1 record while going into a bye week ahead of the post season commencing in two weeks. Meanwhile the T-Birds saw their record go to 8-1-1 good for second spot in both the west division and the Canada West standings before their final weekend series of the campaign in Victoria next weekend.
After a back and forth first half the T-Birds turned it on to dominate the second half with several stellar chances but were unable to solve Spartans goalkeeper Hannah Miller and a stingy defence who were up to the task in ensuring TWU remained unbeaten on the season.
The 'Birds second half surge began in the 68
th minute following a free kick in TWU territory from
Emma Hooton which was cleared out of the box into the path of
Janika Sangha who struck a looping ball from 30 yards out back at goal. The attempt carried and dipped but a back peddling and diving Miller did well to tip it off the cross bar and keep it deadlocked at 0-0.
What followed was a goal mouth scramble for UBC in minute 73 where Miller spilled a
Nisa Reehal shot but recovered to make a big stop off
Sophie Damian in close. Damian would be dangerous again just four minutes later, striking a left footed free kick from 30 yards out off the cross bar.
One of UBC's best chances came in the 85
th minute with
Danielle Steer running onto a beautiful through ball and one timing a strike from 14-yards out but once again Miller was off her line to just deflect the ball wide of the goal mouth.
With UBC pressing forward in extra time it was the Spartans who countered and almost offered the late drama as Kathryn Harvey found herself on a breakaway from midfield, the fourth-year forward shot from 25 yards out but hit the side netting.
"Full credit to our team, but it's a tough game sometimes," said UBC head coach
Jesse Symons. "I feel that in both matches this weekend we outplayed them, we out-chanced them, but unfortunately, we didn't out-score them. Hopefully we'll see then again in the Canada West finals. We know our path now - hopefully we'll be hosting here in the last week of October and we'll see where we end up. Our defensive structure right now is in such good form. We score a goal we win games."
On the other side Spartans head coach Graham Roxburgh gave a realistic view of the battle and was pleased with his team's gritty effort.
"Soccer is funny, I think UBC probably deserved the result tonight," added Roxburgh. "But I thought we played really well. We didn't generate many great chances although we could've sealed it in the last couple minutes there. Elizabeth Hicks - I can't say enough good things about our centre back. She's a leader, she's just a wall, but she's intelligent and showed why I think she's the best player in Canada West. Miller made a couple really good saves but credit to UBC. Two good teams battling it out there tonight, it was scrappy and ugly and wet but sometimes you have to get over the line ugly."
On the second of back to backs it was a role reversal from the night before, this time TWU enjoying the early share of possession and field position leading to a great early chance for the visitors. In the 4
th minute Harvey ran onto a beautifully played thru ball and one timed a rising shot from twelve yards out that UBC goalkeeper
Emily Moore did well to stretch out and just tip over the cross bar to keep the game scoreless.
After some back and forth play in the midfield for an extended time the T-Birds started created some offence beginning with
Danielle Steer in the 22
nd minute streaking down the right side of the 18-yard box and letting a low hard shot go from a sharp angle which Spartans goalkeeper Hannah Miller narrowly turned aside with an outstretched right hand around the post.
UBC followed up with promising looking long shots from
Vanessa Tome in the 23
rd minute and a Tess Mcrae dig from 25 yards out but Miller was equal to the task in reaching high to collect both forays.
The hosts best chance of the opening frame came just before the break in minute 42 as during a T-Birds flurry Tome connected on a shot from near range that looked destined for the back of the net but first-year TWU defender stepped up to head the ball off the goal line just in time and ensuring a 0-0 score line heading into halftime.
Prior to kick off UBC's four graduating seniors for the upcoming year,
Emily Moore,
Tess McRae,
Michelle Jang and
Anisha Sangha were recognized for their years of dedication to the blue and gold ahead of playing in their final regular season home contest with the 'Birds. Also recognized were graduating players from last year
Emma Peckinpaugh and
Alyssa Hunt who returned for the honour which included the six T-Birds receiving a framed action photograph and a bouquet of flowers.
The T-Birds will conclude their regular season next weekend on the road against the UVic Vikes with games on Friday, October 22 at 5:00 p.m. followed by a 3:30 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, October 23. The Spartans will look to both get some rest and stay sharp during their bye week before entering post season play.
