Immediately following a convincing win over the UBC Okanagan Heat, UBC women’s soccer geared up again to face their second opponent of the weekend — playing the Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Wolfpack at home on Saturday night. In a fierce back-and-forth battle, the ‘Birds played most of the game in a stalemate before they were able to break through to take away the 2–0 win.
A day after their prior game, the ‘Birds had to make some significant adjustments to their game plan. While the Heat hold possession well, trying to make good touches and look for the smart offensive play — TRU is sharper on the press, always pushing the play forward and surging forward on the attack.
“Back-to-back games are always tough, but exciting, and kind of model some playoff play so it’s really good to get obviously those double headers in,” said fourth-year defender Ella Sunde.
“They’re definitely both two different teams so we knew how to manage them both differently and change our way to attack them,” said second-year defender Zoelle Apps.
Coming into the game against UBC, TRU was coming off three consecutive losses, dropping from third to fourth in the division standings, sitting in the last playoff spot.
TRU has been fairly successful so far this season, but not against UBC. The Wolfpack have lost twice to the Thunderbirds, losing 2–0 to UBC in their home opener and dropping another game 5–0 to the ‘Birds early in September. While they hoped for a win to move up in the rankings and give themselves some breathing room — sitting tied with the University of Victoria — they were unable to achieve this.
To start the game, both teams battled back-and-forth, pressing forward hard on the attack. TRU was finding success by winning over possession — as soon as they got the ball early on, they were very quick to go forward, pouncing on every chance they could get. While UBC would end the game outshooting the Wolfpack 22 to 2, each team had one shot each through the first 15 minutes.
Midway through the first half, TRU stole the ball and with a couple smart touches, set up Esi Lufo, who took it up the sideline and tried to cut into the box. Before she could get off a shot, UBC midfielder Taiya Dennehy was there to cut her off and pushed her right into the corner as they battled to keep the ball in.
Lufo is a prolific scorer — one of TRU’s most dangerous players. She has the second-most goals in the Canada West, while also being first in the conference in shots. In the midst of UBC’s streak of nine-straight clean sheet games, Lufo was likely one of the best chances for someone to score on UBC, but the T-Birds — Dennehy especially — did a good job to stop her, holding her to zero shots in the game.
Dennehy has been a big part of UBC’s defensive success so far this season. She showcased her defensive prowess throughout the game — sticking to her check and cutting off all options for the Wolfpack to set up teammates or do anything with the ball — as she showed with how she defended Lufo.
The first half ended scoreless, a rarity for the T-Birds. They could not connect, with the TRU defence holding on well. The only other time a team has kept UBC from scoring in the first half was the UNBC Timberwolves, all the way back on Sept. 5. The scoreless half was certainly not for lack of trying for the ‘Birds, who had 10 shots; their chances were just slightly off every time or beaten by the Wolfpack defence.
“[We] were unlucky in the first half, I felt, not to score,” said head coach Jesse Symons. “It’s about playing 90 minutes and fortunately for our team, we found some great goals and we were able to get the result today.”
TRU’s tough attack and intense press made it more difficult for UBC’s defence than most opponents have this season. In the second half TRU earned a free kick just outside the box — in a dangerously close position. In what could have been a decisive moment, the kick went high, continuing the goalless streak for UBC’s opponents.
Around 10 minutes later, UBC pushed back on the attack. Dennehy made a great through ball to Sofia Peckenpaugh, who had an incredible shot, but TRU’s goalie, Floor Ursem, was just able to tip it up and out of harm’s way. Throughout the game, Ursem was a key player in the Wolfpack’s efforts to hold off UBC’s offence, totalling 8 saves in an impressive performance.
Nearing the final 10 minutes of the game, ‘Birds forward Jayda Thompson turned on the jets to rush on offence — going up the side of the field — but was cut off by TRU’s defence. While she didn’t get a shot on net,Thompson’s push earned UBC a corner kick and another chance to score before time ran out. While UBC’s place atop the Pacific division would not be endangered with a draw, if this game remained scoreless through the final minute, the ‘Birds impressive streak of 32 consecutive U Sports victories would be over.
After the ball in the corner went in the box and out wide, UBC fought to win it back. Eventually, Sunde was able to cross the ball into the box, where Apps was right in front of the net. With one touch, she fired it in to finally get one on the board for UBC. This not only clinched the win for the T-Birds — but was a historic shot for Apps, marking her first ever goal as a Thunderbird.
“I’m really excited. It’s a big step for me,” said Apps.
With this assist, Sunde earned her tenth point in the season so far. Despite being a defender , she has proven to be a fierce offensive competitor, being tied for the most goals on the team and is leading the Thunderbirds in points.
“I like to push up, and I’m a defender, so my team really covers for me a lot,” said Sunde. “I just feel very supported, and I have the freedom to go up and create stuff so shout out to my teammates for making me able to get those points.”
With less than 10 minutes in the game, UBC snuffed out any chance of a Wolfpack comeback, bringing the score to 2–0 with a goal by forward Maddy Norman. Off a high ball from Thompson — trying to keep it away from the TRU defence — Norman connected and with one touch, fired the ball high into the net.
Both goals in the game were scored by second-year players, demonstrating the success of the T-Birds’ young core. This season, many younger players have stepped up and showed out in their roles — like Apps and Norman.
These players, despite their youth, look like seasoned vets on the field — adding another dimension to how dangerous this team can be.
“It’s been a big step for me, because we lost our other two centre-backs, and I think I stepped into the role of Jacqueline [Tyrer] from last year,” said Apps. “I’m really excited to be a leader like she was,” said Apps.
In the last few minutes of the game, TRU tried to net one before time ran out, making some good moves in transition to set up some close chances. They earned a free kick close to the ‘Birds net in what seemed like their chance to salvage something by being the first team to score on the T-Birds this season. However, the Wolfpack could not make it count, as UBC keeper Dakota Beckett was able to grab it. With no time left for TRU to respond, the game ended with a 2–0 Thunderbird win.
Although the T-Birds got off to a slow start, the end result was another successful game to keep their numerous streaks going. UBC now has 33 straight U Sports wins, putting them 10–0 on the season, all without allowing a goal on the year in Canada West play.
With this win, the Thunderbirds have officially clinched a top two seed in the Pacific division. And as the end of the season is starting to near, playoffs and Nationals are on the mind for UBC, with other teams across the conference and country paying close attention to the T-Birds as defending champs and the current number-one team in the country.
“Our team is always focused on getting to Nationals,” said Symons. “We’ve definitely got a home quarter final, but now it’s about winning the division.”
Up next, the Thunderbirds are back out on the road — but they won’t veer too far from home as they turn to play their familiar rivals, the sixth-ranked team in the country, the Trinity Western University Spartans, on Oct. 10 in Langley.
“We’re always excited to play Trinity,” said Sunde. “After our bye week … we’re ready to keep on going and finish the last half of the season off strong.”
TRU midfielder Macyn Jolly previously knew the writer of this piece, Maia Cesario, through a family connection. Jolly was not contacted or involved in the production of this piece.
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