Despite holding the best record in the conference, the Thunderbirds were ready to head out east for the Canada West Final Four, due to the stipulation that this year's championship bout be held on the turf of the highest remaining Prairie Division seed. However, plans changed when every prairie side proceeded to lose their quarterfinal matchup.
All of a sudden, the improbable is reality, and the T-Birds now have the chance to lift the conference championship trophy at home for the second year in a row.Â
"I think it just shows how strong our Pacific Division is, and the teams we play week-in, week-out," remarked UBC head coach Jesse Symons. "They really stepped up. All the games were really close and fortunately all the Pacific teams won, and that's why we wanted to win the division."
The biggest upset of the opening round was Calgary falling at home to Victoria, while Trinity Western also won on the road against Mount Royal. Thompson Rivers held serve at home against Saskatchewan, while the T-Birds triumphed over MacEwan at Thunderbird Stadium.
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Although the final score (1-0) doesn't paint the picture of a dominant performance, Symons came away from his team's quarterfinal win feeling very pleased with how they began their postseason adventure.
"We look at a lot of different details and stats, and our stats were almost off the charts. When you have 70% possession, 20+ shots and 14 corners in a game, you can see the dominance we had, and while the goals didn't come we got the one that we needed to and shut up shop pretty good. 1-0 victories, we're fine with them, but if we can get more we'll get more."
Three of the four conference-wide matchups last weekend were decided by just a single goal, and that type of thin margins could well be in play once again this Thursday when the T-Birds take on their archrivals Trinity Western at 4:00 p.m. (PT) inside Thunderbird Stadium.Â
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The semifinal clash marks the seventh year in a row that these two Lower Mainland sides have faced off in the postseason, an incredible streak that shows the level of both of the programs.
"We see them a lot in November," said Symons. "We're excited to play them in the semifinal, we know them well and they know us well, so it should be a great game. Trinity is a good opponent. I'm sure it's going to be very competitive, and we'll be ready for them."
Following the result of Thursday's game, the Thunderbirds will face either the Vikes or WolfPack in the medal round on Friday. The bronze match is at 1:00 p.m. while the battle for gold begins at 4:00 p.m. (all times PT).
While their spot at next week's U SPORTS Women's Soccer Championship is already secured by virtue of being hosts, that doesn't at all diminish the stakes of this weekend in the eyes of Symons and his squad.
"Winning the Canada West banner is important from a seeding perspective, but also for our division and conference," said the UBC bench boss. "It's one of the best conferences, I feel, in the country, if not the best, and to be on top of it is a privilege and something we're really proud of doing. We're focused on making it happen this year, and hopefully we're in the 4:00 p.m. game [on Friday]."
Tickets for the Canada West Final Four are available
HERE, with the games also broadcast on
Canada West TV.
