For Women's Soccer, their first victory of the season was about more than just three points.
The preseason No. 1 team in U Sports began its second Canada West title defence in a row this Friday with a dominant performance, outscoring UBCO 3–0 in goalkeeper Marilena Spagnolo’s T-Bird debut. The T-Birds have now gone unbeaten in Canada West for 35 consecutive games, a streak spanning both the regular season and playoffs. Their last conference loss was on Nov. 3, 2023, in that year's Canada West Final.
While there were plenty of familiar faces in the blue and gold, Friday marked the beginning of a new chapter for a team that has undergone some changes since its last competitive match. This week, five players made their Canada West debuts for UBC: veteran newcomers Spagnolo and Nina Rhode, along with first-years Shaden Al-Asad, Felicia Hanisch and Mia Sieminski.
The 'Birds welcomed five new players to the team on Friday, including rookie Felicia Hanisch (#16).
The new-look Thunderbirds wasted little time showing that their championship expectations had not changed. UBC peppered UBCO goalkeeper Allyson Ford’s net from the opening whistle, and Bailey Doerksen forced the first save just 31 seconds into the match, with Jayda Thompson following with another attempt four minutes later.
By the 22nd minute, UBC had already registered six shots on target — but Ford kept answering. The Heat goalkeeper made save after save as the Thunderbirds circulated the ball and repeatedly tested the UBCO defence. The chances were coming, but the breakthrough was not.
While the pitch was tilted towards their end, UBCO was not completely without opportunities.
In the 13th minute, Maria Georgacacos forced a defensive save from captain Sophia Ferreira before sending another attempt high less than a minute later. Later in the half, Georgacacos again found herself in a dangerous position, only for Sophie Harrison to make a crucial intervention. UBC was controlling the match, but UBCO remained capable of making the Thunderbirds pay for a mistake.
Then, in the 30th minute, UBC finally found its breakthrough.
Zoelle Apps and Maddy Norman combined to create the opportunity, setting up Thompson inside the attacking area — and the fifth-year winger finished. Her first goal of the season gave UBC a 1–0 lead and rewarded the pressure the Thunderbirds had applied for most of the opening half-hour.
One goal wouldn't be enough to put the game away. UBC continued to create chances before halftime, with Ford denying Harrison and Nina Rhode. With less than two minutes remaining, Chloe Van Schalkwyk came closest to doubling the lead when her shot struck the crossbar.
The Thunderbirds entered halftime ahead, but UBCO was still within striking distance. Then, just before the hour mark, the Heat received their best opportunity of the night. UBCO was awarded a penalty in the 60th minute, putting Georgacacos — one of the Heat’s most dangerous attackers throughout the match — in position to level the score.
Spagnolo had other plans.
The UBC goalkeeper dove to make the save, preserving the Thunderbirds’ 1–0 advantage in probably the most crucial moment of the game. It was a stellar achievement for Spagnolo, coming up clutch in her first start with the team. Coming into the year, she had plenty of pressure on her shoulders, replacing the program's all-time winningest keeper, Dakota Beckett. If this save was any indication, that pressure doesn't seem to faze her.
UBCO's Maria Georgacacos (#16) was the biggest threat for the Heat on Friday, but she wasn't able to convert in the most cruical moment, on a penalty in the second half.
Had the penalty gone in, the game would have been level with half an hour remaining. Instead, UBC stayed in front, and the Thunderbirds took control of the match.
Eight minutes later, they were awarded a penalty of their own, and Doerksen stepped up. Playing in her first U Sports game in nearly two years, she calmly converted from the spot to double UBC’s lead. After waiting so long to return to play, Doerksen needed only one opportunity to make it count.
The goal changed the complexion of the match. UBCO now needed two goals to earn a point, while the Thunderbirds could focus on managing their advantage. They did more than that. UBC locked down defensively, allowing the Heat just one shot attempt after Doerksen’s penalty, and the Thunderbirds continued to push forward while limiting UBCO’s ability to respond.
Less than 10 minutes after Doerksen’s goal, UBC found another. In the 77th minute, Hannah Bains received a pass from Norman and found the back of the net to make it 3–0.
The insurance marker effectively ended any remaining doubt.
For UBCO, Ford had done almost everything possible to keep her team in the match. She finished with 12 saves, compared with just one for Spagnolo, as the Thunderbirds recorded 15 shots on target. Eventually, the volume became too much. Three different UBC players found the scoresheet. Thompson opened the scoring. Doerksen returned from a lengthy absence to convert from the penalty spot, and Bains completed the scoring.
At the other end, Spagnolo recorded a shutout in her first game wearing the blue and gold. The final score reflected UBC’s control, but the game had several moments that could have shifted its direction. The Thunderbirds spent much of the first half attacking without finding a second goal. UBCO's second half penalty with the score still 1–0 could have been a game-changer, but eight minutes after the miss, UBC had doubled its advantage.
That sequence was the defining stretch of the game.
The Thunderbirds finished the night with 22 shots, nine corners and a 3–0 victory. More importantly, they continued a Canada West winning streak that has now reached 35 games. It is another impressive number for a program that has established itself as one of the strongest in U Sports history.
This was a fantastic performance all-around for the T-Birds, especially after avoiding the scare off the penalty late in the game.
The significance of Friday night extended beyond the streak. For a team entering the season as the preseason No. 1 in the country, there was pressure to start well, especially for the team's new players. UBC responded with three goals, a clean sheet and a performance that showcased both its returning core and its new additions. Doerksen, for her part, played both roles. After almost 700 games away, she was finally back on the scoresheet.
The Thunderbirds did not have much time to celebrate, as they immediately traveled from Kelowna to Langley for a Saturday night matchup against the Trinity Western Spartans, which they won 2–0.
UBC accomplished exactly what it wanted from its season opener. The defending conference champions have three points, a clean sheet and another win added to an extraordinary streak.
Not surprisingly, the Thunderbirds are back.
