VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds (6-0-2) have officially wrapped up a historic 2026 regular season. Not only did they secure their first Canada West title in nine years, but they did so with an undefeated record.

A late surge powered the 'Birds to a 2-2 draw against the University of Victoria Vikes (4-2-2) at Wright Field on Sunday morning, then a 3-0 shootout followed as UBC completed the dramatic comeback.

After falling behind by a pair, Puneet Litt scored her second goal in as many games to get the 'Birds on the board at the end of the third, while Sydney Le fired another with three minutes remaining in the fourth to tie this one up at two apiece. Pascale Pottier then stood on her head in the shootout, stopping all three attempts with calculated sprawling saves to seal the extra point with a 3-0 result.



"We've said the whole season that we're just going to try and find a way to win. We like to play a very attractive round of hockey with good possession," mused UBC head coach Geoff Matthews. "We tried in the first period; it didn't work. UVic did a really good job, scoring two quality goals, and then we just changed a few things up. A little bit scrappy, but sometimes you have to play scrappy to win. And then Pascal was incredible, just an unbelievable shootout performance from her."

The outcome signifies the first unbeaten season since 2017, the same year the 'Birds claimed their most recent CW banner before going on to add a National Championship to their resume. But Sunday's match meant more than wins and losses, as it also marked Seniors Day, where UBC celebrated the five graduating T-Birds: Kenzie Girgis, Hazel Taylor, Riley Brown, Shyana Ringma and Harnoor Malhi.



With UBC rotating goalies, all three netminders stole the show throughout the first 30 minutes, with each exchanging emphatic saves to keep the game scoreless until the latter half of the second quarter – when the Vikes would have their breakthrough. A hectic scramble in the circle led to a couple of whacks by Victoria before landing on the blade of Antonia Hodar, who rifled home the game's opening score.  

The Vikes needed little time to double their lead in the second half. After being awarded a pair of subsequent penalty corners in the early going, on the second attempt, Rebecca Stone let off a long-range shot that nestled into the bottom right corner of the goal to hand the Vikes a 2-0 advantage.

However, with less than a minute remaining in the frame, the 'Birds had their answer. Girgis blistered upfield, deking around defenders to get deep into the circle. She wired a shot that hit a body in front, leading to Litt scooping up the rebound, turning and firing for the T-Birds' first goal, posting a 2-1 scoreline heading into the fourth.



As the 60th minute approached, the 'Birds were eager for the equalizer. With less than four minutes to go, Le careened up the left side of the pitch and into the circle; with a defender on her forehand side, the third-year pulled it to her backhand and laced one up high to even the score at two apiece.

In the shootout, UBC's Pottier was a wall between the pipes. With all three T-Birds scoring on their shots, the second-year netminder worked to keep the Vikes at bay. She stayed with each attempt before finishing with diving saves, sealing the extra-point to close out Seniors Day and the conference-clinching weekend on a high note.



"I'm really proud of what they've achieved," reflected coach Matthews on the final home game for his senior players. "For them to win in their final year, they spent a lot of hours on the field practicing, a lot of time in the gym. So, to finally get that recognition is amazing. I wish them all the best going forward. They're Thunderbirds for life."

During a weekend that just keeps on giving for UBC, multiple T-Birds walked away with individual Canada West hardware. Fifth-year Girgis was awarded Player of the Year honours, Robyn Goh earned Goalie of the Year, Mackenna Brown added Rookie of the Year to the mantle, and lastly, coach Matthews was handed Coach of the Year. 

With the Canada West season officially in the books, the conference-winning T-Birds now turn their attention to the U SPORTS National Championship taking place in Waterloo, Ontario. The two-day tournament begins on Friday, November 6, before concluding with the title game on Saturday, November 7.

Scoring Summary
VIC – Antonia Hodar, 27', FG, VIC 1-0
VIC – Rebecca Stone, 33', PC, VIC 2-0
UBC – Puneet Litt, 44', FG, VIC 2-1
UBC – Sydney Le, 57', FG, TIE 2-2
 
GOALKEEPERS
VIC – Talia Pike, 60 MP, 2 GA
UBC – Robyn Goh, 30 MP, 1 GA (1st and 3rd quarter)
UBC – Pascale Pottier, 30 MP, 1 GA (2nd and 4th quarter)
 
CARDS
VIC – Bronte Thurbide, GC, 5'
 
Shootout UBC (3-0)
VIC GK – Talia Pike
UBC GK – Pascale Pottier
UBC –Wynn Brown, goal
UBC –Noor Hundal, goal
UBC – Sydney Le, goal