ABBOTSFORD – For the second time this weekend, the T-Birds were able to grind out a 1-0 road win, as
Maddy Norman scored the lone goal in a clash with the UFV Cascades.
This time it was
Emma Sparrow minding the goal for UBC, and the goalkeeper earned her sixth win (and sixth shutout) of the campaign. It's the 12th shutout in 12 games for the T-Birds, breaking the Canada West record for most in a single season!
The T-Birds' ability to pitch yet another clean sheet is made even more impressive by the fact that their starting goalie and three of their four starting defenders for this game (
Heike Clarke,
Sophie Harrison and
Sabrina Nascimento Carreira) are all in their first year of eligibility.
Zoelle Apps, the veteran presence in the backline, is in her second year.
Having the highly experienced
Taiya Dennehy in front of them in the defensive midfielder role certainly helps, as the Thunderbirds held the home team to three shots on target compared to six for the visitors. The most dangerous of the bunch came off a half volley from Kyla Kerr from outside the box early in the second half, which Sparrow did well to get across to and parry away.
The T-Birds were already leading at that point in time, as Norman struck in the 36th on a devastatingly quick counter-attack launched by a good pass forward from Sparrow. Just a few touches later,
Sienna Gibson found herself in the UFV half with the ball at her feet and plenty of space.
Seeing Norman making a darting run behind the defence, Gibson had the perfect touch on the through ball. While Cascades goalie Alana Madec came charging out of her box to try and clear it away, Norman got to the ball first and immediately fired it past the 'keeper and into the net for her fifth of the season.
With their results this weekend, the Thunderbirds have clinched the top seed in the Pacific Division and will have homefield advantage throughout the Canada West playoffs.
Before they can fully set their sights on the postseason, however, they will close the regular season with a pair of home games against the Victoria Vikes next weekend. They will first play at Ken Woods Field on Friday, October 17th, followed by the rematch at Thunderbird Stadium on Saturday, October 18th.
