CALGARY - The U SPORTS No. 1-ranked UBC Thunderbirds (9-0-0) have extended their perfect season with a narrow 1-0 win over the Mount Royal Cougars (2-4-3) on a brisk fall evening in Calgary.

The match started out tight, with the T-Birds controlling the tempo of play. Cougars goalkeeper Torrance Langdon was forced to make several first half saves, most notably extending to get a hand one one dangerous strike that she was able to just tip over the crossbar.



In the 43rd minute, the officials issued a delay due to thunder and lightning. Both teams cleared the field, hoping the poor weather would pass. Despite dark grey clouds in the distance, the storm stayed away from Stadium Field and allowed the teams to return to the pitch.

UBC wasted no time after the weather delay. Forward Katalin Tolnai found the back of the net with a nifty chip that floated up and over Langdon to give the undefeated 'Birds a 1-0 lead. The tally from Tolnai was her team-leading seventh of the season and her 13th point on the year, tops in all of U SPORTS.


Mount Royal applied pressure on the conference leaders, but each glimpse of a scoring chance was tactically cleared away by the T-Birds. Kareena Kassam brought a surge of energy for MRU later in the second half but was unable to break through the tightly woven UBC back line.

The blue and gold now quickly come back west for a match in Victoria at Centennial Stadium on Sunday. Kickoff against the Vikes is set for 1:00 p.m. (PT). Stream all of the action live on Canada West TV.