VICTORIA, B.C. – The UBC Thunderbirds (3-0) continued their winning ways on Saturday morning, earning a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over the University of Victoria Vikes (2-1) at Lynne "Buzz" Beecroft Field.

Reigning BioSteel Player of the Week, Sukhman Hundal picked up her third goal of the Canada West season in the first half, before veteran forwards Sydney Le and Riley Brown found the back of the net to hand the T-Birds a two-goal advantage by the end of the third.

From there, stellar play from UBC's Pascale Pottier helped shut the door as the second-year keeper came in relief at halftime and delivered a shutout in the final 30 minutes to seal the squad's third straight win.



Looking to set the tone on home soil, UVic came flying out of the gate. With the wind at their sails early, the Vikes capitalized following a penalty corner in the opening two minutes. After a shot from Ava Winter was blocked, third-year forward Sadie Lee was perfectly placed to jump on the rebound and bury the game's opening goal.

As the quarter waned, the 'Birds began gaining momentum. They pounded the goal with multiple chances, but Vikes netminder Anais Chace had an answer every step of the way, highlighted by an emphatic two-pad stack to keep the narrow lead intact for the home side.

The 'Birds continued to buzz on offence to start the second quarter. After earning a penalty corner of their own in the 16th minute, second-year defender Hundal wired one that caught a deflection and found the top shelf for the equalizer.



The clock ticked down towards the halftime break when the 'Birds managed to take the lead. After several saves from UVic's Chace throughout the frame, UBC earned another penalty corner in the 30th minute. Chace made the initial stop, but third-year forward Sydney Le was on the doorstep to tuck home the rebound and hand the T-Birds a 2-1 lead by the midway point.

A pair of short corners had UBC in good position to add to their lead halfway through the third and, on the second attempt, Riley Brown received a pass down low that just needed a tap-in to score and hand the visitors a 3-1 advantage in the 39th minute.



The Vikes pressed hard in the final four minutes of the match, but their short-corner attempts were defended perfectly by the Thunderbird defensive units, as UBC held on for the 3-1 win.

The Thunderbirds will look to stay perfect on the year as they return to Lynne "Buzz" Beecroft Field for more action against their provincial rival. The second match against the Vikes is set for Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

SCORING SUMMARY
VIC – Sadie Lee, 2' VIC 1-0
UBC – Sukhman Hundal, 16' TIE 1-1
UBC – Sydney Le, 30' 2-1 UBC
UBC – Riley Brown, 39' 3-1 UBC
 
GOALKEEPERS
VIC - Anais Chace, 60MP, 3 GA
UBC – Robyn Goh, 30MP, 1 GA
UBC – Pascale Pottier, 30MP, 0 GA
 
CARDS
UBC – Wynn Brown, GC, 21'
VIC – Maeve Connorton, GC, 26'