VICTORIA – Looking to keep their undefeated record intact, the No. 6-ranked University of Victoria Vikes (6-0-1) women's squad hosted the winless University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat (0-6-3), earning a 2-1 victory, Oct. 3 at UVic's Centennial Stadium.
Fourth-year defender Lindsay Machin and fifth-year forward Carlita Branion-Calles posted early goals for the Vikes at the 10 and 12 minute marks, respectively, while Meaghan Storie backstopped her team to their sixth win of the season.
UBCO's Michelle Smith tallied the lone goal for her squad, rushing the goal line and forcing the ball past Victoria goalkeeper Storie at the 57-minute mark of the second half. Heat 'keeper Christine Tallon was outstanding in goal all afternoon, providing her squad with several saves throughout the night including a last-minute penalty kick save on Vikes leading scorer Emma Greig.
Machin's goal came after finishing off a set-piece from teammate Sarah Douglas. Machin's header from in close, her second of the 2014 campaign, was followed up just minutes later when teammate Branion-Calles found the back of the net after striking a well-placed shot across the goal mouth and into the back of the net to put her side up 2-0 on 12 minutes of play.
UBCO pushed towards the Vikes' net following the pair of early goals, but were unable to generate more than a shot despite rookie striker Courtney Hemmerling finding some room behind the back line of the Vikes.
Following a pair of UBCO chances, the Vikes returned to dictating the play in the half, firing an additional seven shots towards 'keeper Tallon. A pair of back-to-back corners taken once again by Douglas nearly put Victoria up another goal after finding fourth-year midfielder Jaclyn Sawicki, who struck just right of the woodwork from inside the 18-yard-box. The first half would end in a 2-0 lead for Victoria, who looked in full control.
With Victoria unable to put a third ball past Tallon, the Heat found themselves back in the game following a goal in the 57th minute of play. A well-placed strike on net handcuffed 'keeper Storie before a scramble in front of the net was eventually pushed across the line by Smith to cut the Vikes lead to 2-1.
Tallon continued to keep her side within striking distance of evening the match as the second half continued, but the visiting team were unable to mount sustained pressure on the Vikes, who nearly put the game away in the dying minutes of play off an Emma Greig penalty kick that was saved by Tallon, who dove to her left to deflect the ball away just before the final whistle blew. The Vikes would hang on to the 2-1 lead, earning their sixth victory of the season.
Both squads will have little time to reflect on their match, as the Heat pay a visit to the UBC Thunderbirds at 5:00 p.m. at Thunderbird Stadium. The Vikes continue their second home stand of the season, playing host to Thompson Rivers WolfPack at 5:00 p.m. Both games will be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv.