Stories from Maia Cesario at The Ubyssey

Why does Women’s Soccer succeed? It’s about the defence

Maia Cesario and Ayla Cilliers — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 06:50:00 +0000

Illustration by Ayla Cilliers / The Ubyssey; photo elements by Chris Piggott / MacEwan Griffins, Dakota Beckett / McMaster University Athletics, Navya Chadha / The Ubyssey, Sidney Shaw / The Ubyssey

Last year, Women’s Soccer finished the season as one of the best defences in the country. Next year, you can expect more of the same.

Julie Smulders' got next

Aleah Kippan and Maia Cesario — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Aleah Kippan / The Ubyssey

After last stepping on the court as a UBC Thunderbird more than 20 years ago, ‘Birds basketball alumni Julie Smulders continues to make an impact on the program. Establishing her non-profit “She’s Got Next” nearly two years ago, she’s driven to promote and support women’s sport — both at UBC and beyond.

Bold eliminate T-Birds after back-and-forth battle

Maia Cesario — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 07:00:15 +0000

Courtesy Mathieu Belanger / Laval

After another round of terrible seeding luck — having to face the best team in the country, Saskatchewan, in the quarterfinal — UBC was faced with the No. 1 seed in the tournament in the consolation semifinal. They put up a good fight, but couldn’t fight their way back in the fourth, ending their time at Final 8.

Huskies lead early and often in T-Birds’ Final 8 quarterfinal loss

Maia Cesario and Akmal Zulkifli — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 07:00:17 +0000

Courtesy Mathieu Belanger / Laval

After the Calgary Dinos upset the previously undefeated Saskatchewan Huskies in the Canada West semifinal, the T-Birds thought they had caught a break. Instead, they got the worst of both worlds, losing to the Dinos in the final before being eliminated from medal contention by the Huskies — a game in which they never led.

Subpar fourth quarter sinks ‘Birds in Canada West final

Sidney Shaw and Maia Cesario — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:49:00 +0000

Sidney Shaw / The Ubyssey

This postseason, UBC has performed exceptionally well in the clutch. They’ve pulled through late against Alberta and Regina. Heading into the fourth quarter against Calgary tied, they should have been comfortable. They were not.

‘Birds clutch again, secure second-straight last-minute win to advance to Canada West finals

Sidney Shaw and Maia Cesario — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 08:00:13 +0000

Sidney Shaw / The Ubyssey

For head coach Dave Taylor, it had to be a strange feeling. After 32 years with the Regina Cougars — 19 of them as a head coach — he was on the other sideline, coaching UBC in a playoff game. In the end, the ‘Birds came out on top, beating Taylor’s former squad to stay alive in the postseason.

Weekes steals quarterfinal win for the T-Birds, beating the Pandas in a thriller

Navya Chadha and Maia Cesario — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:00:12 +0000

Navya Chadha / The Ubyssey

With 30 seconds left in UBC’s first win-or-go-home game of the year, the underdog Alberta Pandas were within a shot — and had the ball. But off an incredible defensive play, star ‘Birds guard Olivia Weekes stole the inbound, keeping UBC’s playoff hopes alive.

Complimentary basketball powers T-Birds to 11th straight win

Maia Cesario — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 19:17:01 +0000

Courtesy Justin Morash / Victoria Vikes

With their spot atop the Canada West secured going into the playoffs, the 'Birds were mostly looking for a proof-of-concept game in their final regular season match. They got it — with strong performances on both ends of the court elevating them over Victoria, 79–51.

T-Birds show out in offensive explosion on senior night, beating UNBC by 56

Navya Chadha and Maia Cesario — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 08:00:09 +0000

Navya Chadha / The Ubyssey

It was a mismatch from the start, an unsurprising blowout of an inferior team. But for UBC's large class of graduating seniors, their last time on the court at War Memorial in the regular season was still immensely meaningful.

Dominant ‘Birds win against UNBC continues momentum towards playoffs

Maia Cesario — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 17:00:11 +0000

Courtesy Harsh Banga/UNBC Timberwolves

In a dominant performance on Jan. 15, UBC shut down the moribund UNBC Timberwolves in a 35-point win, an expected — but extremely essential — result that showcased UBC's talent on their bench.