KINGSTON – The U SPORTS No.2-ranked UBC Thunderbirds (13-1-0, 2-0-1) will be starting their run at a record eighth national championship against the No.1-ranked Ottawa Gee-Gees (11-0-1, 3-0-0) on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. (PT) after getting a difficult tournament draw.

Following a loss in penalties in the Canada West Gold Medal Match, the T-Birds were given the #7 seed at the U SPORTS Championships.
 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by UBC Women's Soccer (@ubcwsoccer)

UBC was the No.1-ranked team in U SPORTS for 16 straight weeks, nearly the entire campaign, after tying their own Canada West record for regular season points. The team was only overtaken in the Elo Rankings by Ottawa when the 'Birds had a bye right at the end of the end of the regular season.

Despite finishing as the No.1-ranked team in U SPORTS, and not losing a regular season or playoff game on their way to an OUA Championship, the Gee-Gees were only given the #2 seed at the National Championships, setting up a first round clash between what may be the two best teams in the country. RSEQ Champion and No.5-ranked Laval was given the tournament's #1 seed.



Regardless of opponent, the blue and gold are primed and ready to capture their first U SPORTS banner since 2019.

"We are looking very strong going into Nationals," commented UBC head coach Jesse Symons. "Our defensive structure has been at an all-time high and we are excited to continue this at the national championships. We will focus a lot on our set pieces and also our attacking patterns to really create a balanced overall game plan."



There are seven players from the 2019 National Champion team still on the T-Birds roster, something that Symons say will be invaluable when his side takes the pressure-packed stage of a U SPORTS Championship tournament.

"They bring so much experience and maturity to the group," mused the eighth-year head coach. "They have really impacted the culture of the program to push through to every National Championships and Canada West Final since then. We are excited to have them continue to showcase their talent collectively on this stage."



There will be little time for the team's newer players to get used to the bright lights of the Championship, as the 'Birds may be starting with their toughest test of their entire tournament by taking on the Gee-Gees in the first round.

"Ottawa has had a very good season and have really showcased their quality on both sides of the ball," concluded Symons. "I expect a very high tempo, exciting match in the quarter-final."

That game is the second of the day in Kingston, Ontario on Thursday. It's set to kick-off at 10:30 a.m. (PT). Find the full tournament draw and bracket here. Stream the match, and all of the action at the U SPORTS Championships, live online on CBC.