VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds are all set to begin their quest to capture a fourth-consecutive conference title as they open play in the Canada West Final Four Women's Rugby playoffs with a meeting against the host Lethbridge Pronghorns, Thursday at 4:00 p.m. (PT)
The T-Birds head into the second season with plenty of confidence having just concluded the regular season last Saturday with a 29-7 home victory over the University of Victoria Vikes to remain unbeaten at 5-0 while locking up top spot in the standings. This year's squad proved to be prolific offensively, leading the league in scoring by a vast margin with a total of 288 points scored. Being able to score points is paramount but even more important and what pleases UBC head coach
Dean Murten the most, is how stingy the group was in their own end, allowing a league low of just 19 total points against through five games.
"I have been very happy with our defence," said Murten, "We have put a little more detail into the defense as we move into the business end of the season, everyone has bought into what we're trying to do. However, the biggest thing for me is mentally we have to be ready and hungry to main the performances we put in during regular season."
Like every team, the 'Birds dealt with off-season roster turnover but this year's group that included a nice mix of veterans and newcomers that gelled rather quickly to form good chemistry that helped produce three of the conference's top four scorers.
The team was led offensively by fourth-year fly half Savanah Bauder Canada West leading 70 total point scored on the strength of seven tries, one penalty goal while connecting on 16 converts.
First-year centre
Adia Pye burst onto the scene with an effective mix of speed and strength in recording 11 tries and 55 total points. The Victoria, B.C. native who's studying Biology is the reigning Canada West Women's Rugby Player of the Week, an award she was honoured with on one other occasion this year.
Rounding out the top four scorers in the conference is third-year centre
Olivia Sarabura, who produced a versatile mix of six tries and seven converts for a total of 44 points this season.
"I have been very happy with the way the newcomers have adapted to varsity life both on and off the field," added Murten. I am extremely happy with how the group has meshed thanks to a common attitude and work ethic they have all shown in the team environment and what extras they do towards their personal development."
The Pronghorns finished the regular season with a 2-4 record good for fourth place in the conference standings, they met the T-Birds once during the regular season with UBC shutting out the visitors 60-0 in late September. Irrespective of the outcome, coach Murten wants his squad to have a short memory while being cognizant of the increased elements that come into play being on the road at this time of year.
"They're a very well coached team that will have improved throughout the season," concluded Murten. "The result in late September does not matter, it's history. They will have a huge crowd and they have nothing to lose, we need to be at the top of our game both mentally and physically."
Thursday's other playoff matchup has Alberta taking on Victoria at 2:00 p.m. PST ahead of UBC and the host Lethbridge kicking off at 4:00 p.m. You can catch all of the action on
canadawest.tv
