VANCOUVER, B.C. – The UBC Thunderbirds (9-0-0) stayed perfect on the season after a narrow 1-0 victory over the visiting University of Victoria Vikes (0-5-2) at Thunderbirds Stadium on Friday evening.
A first-half goal from
Nina Rhode proved to be the difference maker as the Thunderbirds recorded their ninth straight win of the campaign.
The match wrapped up a five-game home stand for UBC, who not only remain unbeaten on the season, but have yet to concede a goal as they prepare for hosting U SPORTS Nationals next month.
"UVic's defensive structure is really good, and I felt our defensive structure was also really good," Thunderbirds head coach
Jesse Symons said after the match. "Having to manage set pieces late today too, the team did very well in that.
"We challenged
Jayda Thompson this week to get after it, and you can see what she can do and the moments of brilliance. A big moment there. I felt she had a fantastic game. Unfortunate for
Maddy Norman to stop her scoring streak tonight. She had some chances, but I'm sure she'll start lighting it up next game too."
UVic started the match on the front foot, taking the game to their opponents but UBC soon seized control and dominated the play.
Goalscoring opportunities were proving few and far between, however, the Vikes' defence held firm and didn't offer up much for the dangerous Thunderbirds attack.
A defensive slip almost let
Maddy Norman in on goal in the 9th minute, but Vikes goalkeeper Stefanie Mocnik was quickly off the line to smother the danger.
UBC finally got their breakthrough in the 37th minute when Thompson went on an unstoppable run up the left, cutting into the box, and laying the ball off perfectly for Rhode to fire home the opener.
That proved to be the only goal of a tight game, with
Sienna Gibson's fierce strike that crashed off the bar five minutes into the second half the closest either side came to adding to the scoreboard.
UBC now head north to take on the UNBC Timberwolves in Prince George on Sunday afternoon, while UVic heads back home to Victoria to take on the UBCO Heat the same day.
