The UBC Thunderbirds swept the host UBC Okanagan Heat 2-0 and 1-0 in weekend university women’s soccer play at Nonis Field in Kelowna.
The No. 3 ranked T-Birds tested Heat keeper Francesca Balletta with multiple shots and netted a goal in each half Sunday for the shutout.
The Thunderbirds (6-1) have now won six straight matches and sit atop Canada West’s Pacific Division, while the Heat (0-5-1) will head back on the road in search of their first victory with evening matches this Friday and Saturday against Trinity Western Spartans (Langley) and Fraser Valley Cascades (Abbotsford) respectively.
Jasmin Dhanda converted in the 23rd minute, her 10th goal of the 2017 Canada West campaign so far, putting her well ahead atop the goal scoring category for the conference. She got around Balletta and placed one neatly in the bottom of the net.
The final goal came in the 81st minute as Margaret Hadley netted her third of the season with a shot that beat the Heat keeper to the bottom right corner of the goal after a crafty set piece from a corner by Aman Shergill.
Lindsey Berthelsen early on pushed forward with a scoirng first attacking attempt from UBCO. Just before the end of the first half, midfielder Maddy Laranjo (2nd year, Vernon) had a look from the top of the box that threatened to tie the score. In the second half, Andrea Stinson with a good through ball set up Laranjo, who was in the box with the ball on her feet only to quickly be swallowed up by three UBC defenders before getting a shot away. Just before the Thunderbirds scored their insurance marker, Ally Feronato placed a long range chip that was just saved by the T-Birds goalie.
The only goal of the Saturday match was scored by Vikes veteran midfielder Stephanie Badilla Gutierrez in the 31st minute. She curled a corner kick into a scrum in front of Ballett, who was unable to keep out a quick ricochet in front.
Second-year midfielder Maya Bandy of Vernon is also on the Heat roster.