Last Friday, September 19, UBC women’s soccer was riding high, continuing their string of dominance by extending their unbeaten streak to eight games with a 5–0 win against the UBC Okanagan Heat in Kelowna.
What was supposed to be UBCO’s homecoming was a disappointing game for the Heat. This was the second clash between the sister schools so far this season, as UBC previously notched a 2–0 win over UBCO in Kelowna. UBCO did well to keep that game low-scoring, considering the firepower of UBC — the highest-scoring offence in Canada West.
Yet, going into the game, it was both UBC and UBCO who looked to build on recent offensive success. While the Thunderbirds most recently faced the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack, taking home a 5–0 victory, the Heat also had a major offensive showing against UNBC, winning 6–0. However, only the T-Birds would be able to sustain that good fortune.
Perhaps that shouldn’t have been a surprise. UBC has been on a tear, with this win marking their 31st U SPORTS win in a row — a streak that dates all the way back to November of 2023, including two national championship victories — as well as their third 5–0 win in a row this season. Their 8–0 record to start the Canada West season has been all clean sheet games, as they have yet to allow a single goal against.
The ‘Birds success is even more impressive considering that, since last season, the defending champion Thunderbirds have had some major roster changes. Some key defenders from last year have left the team, such as Jacqueline Tyrer, the reigning Canada West defensive player of the year, who graduated last season; Olivia Gomez, the Canada West rookie of the year, who left UBC to join semi-pro North Vancouver team Altitude FC; and defender Sarah Rollins, who joined the NSL with AFC Toronto.
On the offence, a trio of graduating forwards who were all a key part of UBC’s success the past two years — Vanessa Tome, Nisa Reehal and Jade Taylor-Ryan — are now gone.
Despite those key losses, UBC has been able to find offensive success so far this year, giving them the liberty to reach into their bench and switch up their lines. New players are stepping up and taking on important roles — showcasing the depth of this team.
Defenders Zoelle Apps, a second-year and Sophie Harrison, a first-year are among the new players who have really stepped up. Alongside the experience of senior players like Sophia Ferreira and Ella Sunde, they have helped hold down the defence and keep UBC’s clean sheet streak alive. Both these players so far have been forces to reckon with and have taken on a much larger role on the team without missing a beat.
UBC defender Zoelle Apps with the ball — Apps has been able to step up this year after the departure of key players. Courtesy Kaczur Photography
The new-look T-Birds would be tested early, however, as both teams started with high energy, with UBCO looking to improve from their last match-up against the Thunderbirds and holding their own early on. Even as they faced relentless pressure from UBC, the Heat worked to not let the T-Birds dominate possession early. However, UBC’s defence stood strong as they have all season, and on the other end of the field, given the ‘Birds’ offensive pedigree, it felt inevitable that the T-Bird attack was going to break down the Heat.
Around midway through the first half, UBC finally broke through. As ‘Birds forward Jayda Thompson turned on the jets to drive down the field, she made a well-timed cut, shooting a powerful low ball right by the Heat’s keeper. This first T-Bird goal opened the floodgates, as UBC continued to press, finding the cracks in the Heat’s defence.
It only took about three minutes for UBC to strike again: with a free kick in close range by Taiya Dennehy, Ella Sunde was able to connect with a beautiful header, moving UBC up 2–0. Sunde has been propelling UBC’s offence this season, leading the team in goals and standing in the top five of Canada West (CW) for both goals and assists.
At this point, the Thunderbirds were in rhythm — as has been the case this season, once UBC’s offence has hit their stride, they have been seemingly unstoppable. As Thompson drove to the net once again and cut into the box, she sent a quick ball back to find Sienna Gibson at the top of the net, who launched it in to score the Thunderbirds’ third goal in under five minutes.
Although Gibson is quite young — only a second-year player — she already has quite the repertoire. In her first year with UBC, she was a key part of the T-Birds attack, being named MVP in the 2024 U SPORTS national championship. This summer, she also dipped her toes in professional play with a youth development contract in the NSL with Vancouver Rise, while also helping win the CONCACAF U20 championship for Team Canada, with a goal in the final match.
After the first half, UBCO had just one shot on goal — which Beckett was able to easily save. This would be their only shot on goal throughout the game, in comparison to UBC’s 11.
These numbers are a testament to the strength of the T-Birds’ defence. Throughout any given game, they immediately cut off any player rushing to their net and smother them so they do not even have the chance to get a shot off. Thanks to UBC’s back four, little got past the defence to come to Beckett in net. When it did, she was ready.
UBCO’s offence couldn’t get anything going against UBC’s stout defence. Courtesy Kaczur Photography
On the other end of the field, the T-Birds were sharp on attack. They kept up the pressure and used patience when they had the ball to look for openings — being in the right place and taking opportunities when they presented themselves.
When the teams came back on the field in the second half, the ‘Birds were right back in the swing of things — like they had never left the field. In the 54th minute, Maddy Norman — off a beautiful through ball — smashed it into the net with one touch for another great goal, putting UBC up 4–0.
While the Heat tried to tighten up their defence after Norman’s goal, the Thunderbirds stayed patient, keeping possession to play back when needed and not give the ball up too quickly. UBC looked for the right pass, waiting until they could find the crack in UBCO’s defence. Eventually, they did.
With a corner kick, UBC played the ball short to Gibson to shoot, but the Heat blocked her shot. As UBCO tried to clear it away, the ball found Norman who soared it into the net. Norman’s second goal would cement UBC’s victory, their third game with a 5–0 score in a row.
Although UBC’s last goal came off the corner kick, this was one of only two corners they had in the second half compared to UBCO’s five. In this game, it seemed the Heat’s best shot to beat UBC’s defence and score was off the corner, but even that was a tall order in the face of UBC’s defence.
With how dominant UBC played throughout the game, it’s clear that they aren’t looking past any of their opponents, despite how successful the ‘Birds have been. For a team that has been ranked first in the country all year, it could be easy for them to get cocky and start to let their guard down, but from what UBC has shown this season, that is not their attitude. No matter how much they’re up in a game, or how much they’re dominating in the season, UBC plays every game with a chip on their shoulder, never relenting.
The T-Birds will get a short break before their sibling rivalry against UBCO continues, with their next game coming again against the Heat — this time at Thunderbird Stadium — on October 3. The Heat will be looking to redeem themselves and UBC will be looking to continue their momentum, even after a week off.
First online Sept. 28, 2025, 10:30 a.m.
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