Aaron Martin/UBC Thunderbirds
VANCOUVER – Carried by their fifth-year strikers, the UBC Thunderbirds women's soccer team (4-1-0) roared back from an early deficit to claim a 4-1 win over the Manitoba Bisons (1-2-1) and cap off a 2-0 weekend Saturday evening at Ken Woods Field.
Both Aman Shergill and Jasmin Dhanda bagged a goal and assist each, while Margaret Hadley and Danielle Steer both netted singles en route to the win for the 'Blue and Gold'.
"We attacked well again," said UBC head coach Jesse Symons. "Credit Manitoba, they came out with a good game plan and found an early one on us. We had a few chances in the first half that didn't go in, but we kept pushing and eventually found the quality that we needed."
Freshman midfielder Florin Wagner broke the game open early for the Bisons, potting a low curler in the ninth minute past UBC 'keeper Emily Moore after taking a ball in from Rebecca Martin.
The 'Birds put up some impressive attempts in the middle portion of the frame, before Hadley finally pulled the hosts level with seven minutes remaining.
On a terrific solo effort, the fourth-year attacker broke into the Manitoba 18-yard box and following her attempt, which was blocked, volleyed the rebound past Manitoba goalkeeper Justina Jarmoszko.
As they pulled into the first half's stoppage time, the 'Birds pulled ahead on Shergill's third goal of the year, as the forward took a pass from Dhanda in stride and buried a shot from in close.
Rachel Jones nearly made it 3-1 at the 53-minute mark, cranking a shot of the crossbar. The Bisons did well to clear ball from the ensuing scramble.
Jones' offensive foray wasn't her only contribution, Symons credited her and fellow midfielders Jasmine Mander, Tess McRae, and Rachel Kordysz for their ability to control the play.
"Credit to those players in the middle. Those four kept us in control of the play moving forward and kept us in possession of the game," said Symons.
At 74 minutes, Steer put the game nearly out of reach, finishing on a tic-tac-toe passing play. Steer's one-touch strike came on the heels of a terrific cross in from Shergill, made possible by a well-struck pass from freshman defender Jessica Williams.
Dhanda put the game to bed with four minutes remaining, as the senior was gifted with an easy finish from in close after a nice run from sophomore Liesanne Musico.
"Those two are hungry for this," said Symons of Shergill and Dhanda."They know how important they are to this team, and they've embraced it. They're playing exactly how we need them to."
Now riding a four-game win streak, the coach still cautioned getting too excited this early in the season.
"Getting six points in back-to-back weekends now has been great," said Symons. "Every team in this league creates challenges. Next week we have UBC Okanagan and Thompson Rivers, but we'll have a good week of training and just get back at it. We haven't won anything yet."
Jarmoszko made nine saves in net for the Bisons, who host Mount Royal and Alberta next weekend.
PHOTO BY: Wilson Wong/UBC Thunderbirds