VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds (5-0-1) have the chance to claim their first Canada West Championship since 2017 as they welcome the University of Victoria Vikes (4-1-1) to the Point Grey campus for a two-game set this weekend.
The regular-season finale holds the highest of stakes as the two powerhouse rivals will battle for first place in the conference. With no playoff tournament, the team atop the standings by season's end is awarded both the Donna Hunt Memorial Trophy and a berth into the U SPORTS National Championship. Yet T-Bird head coach
Geoff Matthews doesn't want the team to get ahead of itself and hopes to keep the focus on one play at a time.
"We've put ourselves in this position, and that's exactly where we wanted to be heading into the final weekend. The message to the group has been the same all season: 'Let's focus on what we can control, trust the work we've put in throughout the season, and embrace the opportunity in front of us,'" reflected coach Matthews. "We know what's at stake, but we don't want it to distract us from what has made us successful. This group has worked incredibly hard to get to this point, and we're excited for the challenge."
The two sides duked it out earlier this season with a pair of close finishes on the Island. UBC opened the weekend with a 3-1 victory, but the second game of the weekend had a more dramatic finish as
Kenzie Girgis potted the equalizer in the final minute, leading to the 'Birds securing the extra point with a shootout win.
The blue and gold have put together a strong showing throughout the rest of the campaign as well, with that tie against the Vikes being the sole blemish on their record. Despite entering the series unbeaten, coach Matthews doesn't want to take this upcoming series lightly, as the Vikes have held a firm grip on Canada West play for nearly a decade – boasting an eye-popping eight-year streak of lifting the conference trophy.
"Victoria are a very good side, and there's a reason they've been so successful. They're well organized, disciplined, and have players who can make a difference in key moments. We know they'll come into the weekend well prepared and determined to defend their title. I expect two very competitive games where the small details will make the difference. For us, it's about executing our game plan, being clinical with our opportunities, and making sure we compete consistently across all four quarters."
One constant on UBC's offence has been second-year
Sukhman Hundal. In her first full campaign in the starting lineup, the defender has found the back of the net four times, with each coming off penalty corners, to take sole possession of the top goalscorer in all of Canada West.
Next in line for the conference goal lead is fellow T-Bird and fifth-year Girgis, who is coming off Player of the Week honours following her standout performance last weekend against Calgary. Throughout her final season with the program, the midfielder has scored three goals in six games, bringing her career total to eight.
"[Girgis] has been outstanding. She's developed into one of the most influential players in our group, not just through her technical ability and performances on the field, but through the standards she sets every day," mused coach Matthews. "She's someone who leads through actions, consistently puts the team first, and has become a player her teammates look towards in important moments.
"What I particularly appreciate about [Girgis] is her commitment to continually improving. Despite her experience and achievements, she's always looking for ways to get better. But it's fantastic to see her hard work recognized, particularly at such an important stage of the season."
While the Thunderbirds look to finish the regular season on top, the weekend will also mark an important milestone for graduating players. Sunday's contest will feature Seniors' Day, where UBC will recognize Girgis alongside
Hazel Taylor,
Riley Brown,
Shyana Ringma and
Harnoor Malhi for their contributions to the program.
The pair of games begins this Saturday, October 24, at 11:00 a.m., with the two teams returning to Wright Field on Sunday, October 25, for more action at the same time. With the conference title and a trip to the national championship at stake, the T-Birds just need one win across the two contests to secure the elusive banner and etch their names in program history.
