VANCOUVER – Following a four-game road trip, the UBC Thunderbirds (4-0-1) suited up on the Point Grey campus for the first time this season and earned a 1-0 win over the University of Calgary Dinos (0-7) on a sunny Saturday morning.

Part of a two-game set at Wright Field this weekend, the 'Birds collected the narrow lead in the first half and didn't look back, holding on for the clean sheet victory to keep their undefeated streak intact.  

"Defensively we were pretty solid. We know Calgary are a tough team to break down, and they proved it again today with the scoreline being tight," said UBC head coach Geoff Matthews following the match. "They've had some tight games against every team this season, so that didn't surprise us."



Both sides took turns applying pressure early, but neither could break through with a quality chance at goal. That changed in the opening minutes of the second quarter, when Gursukhmani Basra finished off a series of passes with an in-tight shot that found the back of the net.

The 'Birds looked to add on shortly after. UBC came blistering out of a penalty corner, lining up a great chance to double their lead, only for the Dinos netminder Madison Forest to come up big with a sprawling stop.

UBC kept the search on for an insurance marker, but the Dinos' defensive wall maintained the narrow 1-0 scoreline throughout the second half.



Another pair of chances came for the 'Birds in the opening minutes of the fourth, when UBC was awarded a pair of penalty corners. A Dinos defender leaped out to make a diving block on the first, while the team collectively closed the gaps to thwart the second to end the threat.

As the final frame waned, the Dinos pulled their keeper looking for a late push, but couldn't find the equalizer as the home side held on for the clean-sheet victory.

"Our goal every game is to keep a clean sheet, essentially. We were disappointed with some of our outcomes in the final third, but we were happy that we hadn't given up a goal. So, we want to build on that momentum and just try to tweak things to be a bit more clinical when we're trying to score."

The T-Birds return to Wright Field for more action on Sunday, as they take on the Dinos at 11:00 a.m. With plenty on the line, the 'Birds will need to pull out another regulation win, then follow with another against Victoria next weekend to secure the Canada West Championship.
 
SCORING SUMMARY
UBC – Gursukhmani Basra 17' UBC 1-0
 
GOALKEEPERS
CGY – Madison Forest, 60MP, 3 GA
UBC – Pascale Pottier, 30MP, 0 GA
UBC – Robyn Goh, 30MP, 0 GA
 
CARDS
CGY – Molly Garnham, GC, 55'