The UBC Thunderbirds have the chance to win their first Canada West Championship since 2017, when they take on the Victoria Vikes here at home on Saturday, October 19th, and Sunday, October 20th.
The two teams enter the final two games of the regular season just about as even in the standings as possible. Both 4-0-2 on the season, they drew both of their first two meetings back in September and each won one of the bonus shootouts.
Whichever team comes out on top over the two games this weekend will win the title, with the potential for bonus points or goal difference deciding things if needed.
"The group is confident and excited and we are looking forward to the challenge of beating the reigning champions at home," said Thunderbirds head coach Geoff Matthews. "We have been working on maintaining our strong defensive structures as well as improving our transitional play. The game will be won or lost on turnovers and we want to make sure we are ready to capitalize on their mistakes."
UVic enter this weekend as five-time defending champs, and are angling to win their 25th Canada West title which would tie UBC for the most all-time. The Vikes are led by fourth-year forward Chloe Langkammer, who has six goals in six games this season, and 27 goals in 38 games for her career at UVic.
The T-Birds have a dynamic scoring threat of their own in the form of
Sydney Le, who leads Canada West with eight goals. The rookie forward has found the back of the net in all but one game this season, and is the only player to score against the Vikes so far this year.
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UBC also boasts a strong defence, with
Hannah Rumble and backup goalkeeper
Robyn Goh combining to earn four shutouts, three of them on the road. The T-Birds allowed just one goal in their first five games of the season, before giving up three in a 5-3 win over Calgary last time out.
A win or a tie on Saturday would give UBC its longest unbeaten run since 2017, and put them in a better position for the final game on Sunday. Regardless of what happens in the first game, the champion won't be decided until the final day.
Matthews is very happy with how his first year at the helm of the program has gone, with his team having the chance to win a banner at home.
"It's been an incredible 3 months," added Matthews. "I am very proud of the athletes for their willingness to be open to change…that mindset has created a very competitive and demanding training environment and those behaviours are being transferred to our games. The athletes deserve all the credit for the performances so far."
As the final weekend of the regular season, Sunday's game is also seniors day for the T-Birds. Their list of graduating players includes the reigning U SPORTS Player of the Year
Sanehpreet Basra, two-time Canada West Goalkeeper of the Year
Hannah Rumble, defender
Birkley Anderson and forward
Danielle McBean.
Both of the games this weekend begin at 11:00 a.m. (PT) at Wright Field. If the Thunderbirds are crowned Canada West champions, they will play the OUA champions in a best-of-three national championship series beginning on October 31st.
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