The UBC Thunderbirds (3-3) edged the visiting Calgary Dinos (2-4-2) 1-0 with a late-game goal by senior
Izzy Fraser at Wright Field on Sunday. With the win, the T-Birds completed a weekend sweep over the Dinos and remain in contention for the U SPORTS Nationals.
Â
"There were a lot of nerves today. Both teams were pretty desperate for the points, based on what the math looks like for next weekend. Calgary played really well. They kept it close," said UBC head coach Richard Hildreth. "Same thing as yesterday, when you don't convert your opportunities, the game stays closer and all of a sudden, it's much more tense than you'd like it to be. There was some good structure and organization but a couple of moments where we lost our composure a little bit."
Â
Sunday's matinee started with a ceremony to celebrate the team's five graduating seniors –
Alix Vanry,
Izzy Fraser,
Jillian Wallace,
Sanehpreet Basra and
Danielle McBean.
Â
The lone goal of the match came in the 56
th minute off a
Kenzie Girgis-Fraser connection. Girgis stroked the ball past a line of Calgary defenders to find Fraser in the shooting circle. The fifth-year captain buried it into the net to secure a UBC win.
Â
The Dinos close their 2023 Canada West campaign with a 2-4-2 record, while the Thunderbirds head to Vancouver Island for their last games of the season on October 21-22.
Â
"There will be pressure on both teams," added Hildreth when asked about next weekend's matchup. "We've got a bit of a bigger job because we've got to win both games. I think the girls have a lot of belief in themselves from the last time we played them. I think they know we can stick with them and get results."
Â
If the 'Birds win both games, they will finish the season at the top of the Canada West table and advance to U SPORTS Nationals.
Â
SCORING SUMMARY
UBC –
Izzy Fraser, FG, 56', 1-0 UBC
Â
GOALKEEPERS
UBC –
Hannah Rumble, 60 MP, 0 GA
CGY – Alana Madrid, 60 MP, 1 GA
Â
CARDS
UBC –
Izzy Fraser, GC, 44'
Â
