Len Catling/UBC Thunderbirds
VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds (4-0-1) all but locked up the 2017 Canada West championship with a thrilling 2-0 victory over the Victoria Vikes on Saturday afternoon at Wright Field.
UBC took two second-half goals from Sophie Jones and Meghan Hayden within a 12 minute span that decided the game. Thunderbird goalie Rowan Harris looked every part a world-class stopper, making several spectacular saves in the match. Vikes goalie Larissa Piva was able to match Harris in the first half with several remarkable stops of her own, before being relieved by freshman Robin Fleming in the second half.
"It's always a tough fight against UVic. Our game plan is just to keep with it and keep the intensity up," said Jones. "We have a young team, but I think they did a really good job of sticking with it and sticking to the process."
Piva was forced into action in the 15th minute, when she kicked out her right leg and stopped a missile of shot from Jones off a UBC penalty corner.
Harris replied with a pad save of her own in the 36th minute, when she stoned UVic defender Ashton Aumen's drive from the top of the circle.
Harris was at it again early in the second half. UVic defender Anna Mollenhauer made a stunning run down the left wing and fired a sharp angle shot. Harris did well to cover the near post and pushed the ball wide of the goal.
Jones got the 'Birds on the scoreboard in the 52nd minute. Her fearsome shot off a penalty corner found the back off the net to Fleming's right.
"We just tried to keep at it," said Jones. "Some of the formations on our earlier tries didn't work out."
UBC doubled their lead in the 64th minute when UBC forward Meghan Hayden finished off a beautiful 2-on-1 spearheaded by fellow 'Bird forward Abbey MacLellan.
The win gives UBC 13 points for the season, six points clear of the Vikes with three games remaining. A draw or a win for UBC in Sunday's re-match between the two teams will clinch the Canada West title for the 'Birds. The re-match goes at 11 a.m. at UBC's Wright Field.
SCORING SUMMARY
Victoria 0 0 – 0
UBC 0 2 – 2
GOAL SCORERS
UBC – #22 Sophie Jones, PC, 52', 1-0 UBC
UBC – #14 Meghan Hayden, FG, 64', 2-0 UBC
GOALKEEPERS
VIC – Larissa Piva 35 MP, 0 GA
VIC – Robin Fleming 35 MP, 2 GA
UBC – Rowan Harris 70 MP, 0 GA
CARDS
VIC – Hannah Craig (GC, 34')
UBC – Jordyn Faiczak (GC, 24')
PHOTO BY: Rich Lam/UBC Thunderbirds