SYDNEY, N.S. – Finishing as U SPORTS medallists for a second straight season, the UBC Thunderbirds earned a 1-0 victory over their conference rival Mount Royal Cougars Sunday morning in the 2023 bronze medal game in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

The lone goal of the game came off the boot of rookie midfielder Luke Norman in the 27^th minute as the T-Birds exacted a measure of revenge against the Cougars who just eight days previous defeated UBC in the Canada West Final.

It was a just reward for the T-Birds to secure the bronze medal having virtually owned possession of the ball in the opening 45 minutes putting up ten shots.



Norman's second goal of the tournament came after attacking pressure forced a Mount Royal turnover deep in their half of the field. Markus Kaiser got a touch on the ball, playing it forward for Norman who at the top of the penalty area launched a heavy right footed strike that curled perfectly into the top left corner.

The conference champions pressed in the second half earning a number of chances including three corners, but were unable to find the equalizer.

Bennett McKay made five saves to secure his 11^th clean sheet of the season.



Assisting on Norman's game winner, Kaiser earned his second player of the game award of the tournament for the T-Birds.

While pleased to cap off a highly competitive tournament with the bronze, there's little doubt the 'Birds are already looking ahead to 2024 with a eyes on securing yet another national championship title in Oshawa, Ontario next November.