Ryan Lepper, UNBC
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. -
The UNBC Timberwolves possessed the ball, controlled much of the pace of play, but found themselves on the losing end of a 3-0 match with the UFV Cascades, on Sunday, September 24th.
A solid first half was spoiled for the Timberwolves as the Cascades capitalized on a trio of chances in the second half to score three goals in a span of 20 minutes.
Playing their final home game of the season, UNBC had a few good opportunities, but couldn't solve Cascades keeper Emily Harold who made three saves for the clean sheet. It marked Harold's third consecutive shutout.
"I thought we were holding the ball well and had great intensity, but we didn't get the chances we needed, and they capitalized on theirs," said Rhianne Ferdinandi who, as a graduating player, had her final game on home field.
The Timberwolves had the best chance to open the scoring in the first half, when Paige Payne sent Sidne Roy on a run. The native of Burnaby's shot missed high and wide from the right side of the penalty box.
UNBC and UFV traded opportunities in the early stages of the second half, but it was the Cascades who opened the scoring. A scramble in the box found Tripat Sandhu, who came off the bench at halftime, and she was able to tap in a loose ball for the 1-0 lead at the 57-minute mark.
The visitors would double their lead 12 minutes later as Gurneet Dhaliwal rocketed a shot from 25 yards out into the top right corner of the goal.
UFV finished their scoring on another set piece from a foul on the left wing. First-year defender Taylor Nekic was the goal scorer, as she stretched the leasd to three with the first of her Canada West career.
"The first half didn't go so great, but we pulled it together in the second and were able to play for each other," said Nekic following the game. "In the second the strikers were showing more and demanding the ball, and in the midfield we were able to switch it up a little."
With the defeat, the Timberwolves wrap up their home schedule with a 2-4-0 record, while the Cascades improve to 3-2-1.
UNBC will play the remainder of their games this season on the road, starting next weekend with games Friday and Sunday against Victoria and UBC. The Cascades head home for games against Thompson Rivers and UBC Okanagan.