Cary Mellon, UBC Okanagan
KELOWNA, B.C. - A wealth of chances for UBC Okanagan - that resulted in a season high 10 shots on goal - still was not enough offense for the Heat women's soccer squad to net a victory as they find the back of the net just once on Thursday night.
Giving up an early goal to the visiting Thompson Rivers WolfPack the Heat only managed to draw even and finish in a 1-1 draw on Nonis Field in Kelowna.
With the draw both teams make no headway on catching UNBC for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Pacific Division. Thompson Rivers is now (1-7-1) with four points and in seventh place just one point and one spot ahead of UBC Okanagan whose record now sits at (0-6-3).
UNBC holds the last playoff spot with a (2-5-1) record and will play TRU and UBCO on the last weekend of the season.
What's next
These two teams will finish the annual derby this Saturday afternoon (Oct. 7) in Kamloops with a kick-off time 2 p.m. at Hillside Stadium.
Scoring plays
Not missing their opportunity, the TRU goal in the 32nd minute, was finished by Marisa Mendoca who finishes in the top left corner after pouncing on a turnover by the UBC Okanagan back line. It was Mendoca's first goal of the year.
The UBC Okanagan goal was a pretty finish by Susan Traynor who lifted the ball off her right foot up and over the charging TRU keeper. Jasmine Cooper tracked down the ball and sent the cross in to the streaking Traynor in the 66th minute. It was Traynor's second goal of the year and has her in the team lead in that category.
First half chances
Very early on for UBC Okanagan Susan Traynor was found just offside but was free on a nice through ball from Ally Ferronato, in the seventh minute.
Then for UBCO Maya Bandy misses a very close chance at the far post off a cross from Kylee Walker at the 11th minute mark.
TRU's first look was a shot wide by the 'Pack's Camryn Curtis that sailed wide left and doesn't bother Heat keeper Francesca Balletta.
A great early chance by the Heat was almost amazing that they did not score, with multiple blocked shots be TRU defenders that keep the Heat off the scoresheet, the attack was sprung after Ally Ferronato made a strong one-on-one move to get into the 18-yard box.
A sub to put in Brittany Wheeler in the 35th minute pays dividends right away as the fifth year springs Kylie Walker with a through ball, but the play was pulled back with an offside call.
Off the UBCO corner, Wheeler once again looks to set up a teammate and finds Erica Lampert. Her volley goes right by the post.
Second half chances
An attacking chance once again for Brittany Wheeler at the start of the second half, but her cross was blocked and knocked out for a corner.
Ferronato to Walker once again on the through ball forcing 'Pack keeper Danielle Robertson to make the save.
After pulling even in the match UBC Okanagan, for the last 20 minutes, would push nine sometimes 10 players in the offensive zone, really pushing for the win. Even with the extra attackers and the increase in pressure the WolfPack stand tall and Robertson twice makes impressive saves on long shots from Emma Nelsen and Brittany Wheeler from 35 yards out, forcing Robertson to push the ball over the cross bar.
Nearing the end of the match a last minute effort by Jasmine Cooper fails to find the net. Cooper, who is in the clear in the box, with a good look at the net, and has the ball on her foot on a cross from Cassie Bratton, but Cooper lifts the finish just over the cross bar.
TRU counters and Cassie Morris gets a solid look at a near empty UBC Okanagan net but Morris sends the ball over the cross bar, was the last good look TRU had at the winning goal.
The last good chance for UBC Okanagan came near the 90th minute and Susan Traynor was once again on the end of a cross, this time by Cassie Bratton, but 'Pack keeper Danielle Robertson handled the full volley for the save preserving the tie.
Keeper stats
TRU's Daniella Robertson made several impressive saves, and nine overall to help the 'Pack and earn her first draw of the year. Heat keeper Francesca Ballatta, who has played every minute in net this season for the Heat, did not need to make a save as the ball was mostly in the 'Pack end. TRU did not earn a corner and only two free kicks in the match.
Presidents' Cup
Not much to update in the annual Presidents' Cup quest with a 1-1 draw, the Saturday match will perhaps put on university in a lead for the women's cup.