KELOWNA, BC - Rookie Jamie Erickson's twin strikes in the first half were enough for the MacEwan Griffins to beat the UBC Okanagan women's soccer team (4-0) at the Nonis Sports Field on Saturday, October 17th.
Erickson's first goal came in the 5th minute when she comfortably finished midfielder Jennifer Lam's ball inside the six yard box. Incidentally, Erickson's shot into the bottom corner was also her first goal of the season.
Lam continued her great form and provided for another goal in the 7th minute when her pass found midfielder Meagan Lemoine only for the freshman to put the ball past the goalkeeper for her fifth goal of the season.
The Heat's spirit seemed to wilt after giving up those quick markers and needed veteran Mairi Horth to inspire UBC Okanagan back into the match. Horth and the other UBCO forwards continued to create chances for themselves with talisman forward Mairi Horth continuing to make dangerous runs down the flanks and pile the pressure onto the Griffins' defense. For her efforts she was named UBC Okanagan player of the game.
Griffins' player Erickson got her second goal late into the first half. In the 45th minute, her header into the bottom right corner found the net after an accurate ball was played by senior midfielder Erico Vechhio.
Erickson's goal closed out half with the visotors up by three (3-0).
Road warriors the Griffiins are now an impressive 3-3 on the road and UBC Okanagan can't seem to win at home falling to 0-4 in Kelowna. overall the Heat are now (1-6-4) and MacEwan is now (5-3-3).
Although the playoff opportunites are slim for UBC Okanagan there is still a chance even with their (1-6-4) record, if the Heat can win all three of their next games and earn the nine points they could overtake Thompson Rivers for the final spot. The only caveat is that TRU would have to lose at least two and draw in the other game.
MacEwan is off to Thompson Rivers for a Sunday afternoon match in Kamloops, the Griffinss are eying a home playoff match and are trying to catch Manitoba for third place. UBC Okanagan will be playing hosts to Mount Royal when they clash on Sunday, 18th October at the Nonis Sports Field where the game is set to begin at 12 p.m.
The second half saw a far more composed Heat side that continued to put the ball into dangerous areas but not being able to find the finish. Freshmen Kaylin Ferguson returned to the lineup and added some more momentum going forward for UBC Okanagan, she had missed the pass four matches but is still second on the team in scoring with two goals.
The Griffins finished up the scoring in the 64th minute when Lam, who assisted on two goals in the first half, scored her first goal of the game when she powerfully laced a shot into the top right corner after she was found by rookie Isabelle Dobbin's cross. Dobbin got her third assist of the season. Lam after her offensive outburst was selected as the Griffins player of the match.
In spite of conceding four goals, rookie goalkeeper Joella Koblischke had yet another fruitful game, making nine saves during the match. Koblischke made a stunning save when she stunningly palmed away a powerful shot from around the 18-yard box.
~ Nimai Trivadi // Heat communications