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\n UBC defender Zoelle Apps with the ball \u2014 Apps has been able to step up this year after the departure of key players. Courtesy Kaczur Photography\n<\/p>\n
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\u2019s defence stood strong as they have all season, and on the other end of the field, given the \u2018Birds\u2019 offensive pedigree, it felt inevitable that the T-Bird attack was going to break down the Heat.<\/p>\n
Around midway through the first half, UBC finally broke through. As \u2018Birds 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\u2019s keeper. This first T-Bird goal opened the floodgates, as UBC continued to press, finding the cracks in the Heat\u2019s defence.<\/p>\n
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\u20130. Sunde has been propelling UBC\u2019s offence this season, leading the team in goals and standing in the top five of Canada West (CW) for both goals and assists.<\/p>\n
At this point, the Thunderbirds were in rhythm \u2014 as has been the case this season, once UBC\u2019s 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\u2019 third goal in under five minutes.<\/p>\n
Although Gibson is quite young \u2014 only a second-year player \u2014 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<\/a>, while also helping win the CONCACAF U20 championship for Team Canada, with a goal in the final match.<\/p>\n After the first half, UBCO had just one shot on goal \u2014 which Beckett was able to easily save. This would be their only shot on goal throughout the game, in comparison to UBC\u2019s 11.<\/p>\n These numbers are a testament to the strength of the T-Birds\u2019 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\u2019s back four, little got past the defence to come to Beckett in net. When it did, she was ready.<\/p>\n \n UBCO’s offence couldn’t get anything going against UBC’s stout defence. Courtesy Kaczur Photography\n<\/p>\n 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 \u2014 being in the right place and taking opportunities when they presented themselves.<\/p>\n When the teams came back on the field in the second half, the \u2018Birds were right back in the swing of things \u2014 like they had never left the field. In the 54th minute, Maddy Norman \u2014 off a beautiful through ball \u2014 smashed it into the net with one touch for another great goal, putting UBC up 4\u20130.<\/p>\n While the Heat tried to tighten up their defence after Norman\u2019s 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\u2019s defence. Eventually, they did.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s second goal would cement UBC\u2019s victory, their third game with a 5\u20130 score in a row.<\/p>\n Although UBC\u2019s last goal came off the corner kick, this was one of only two corners they had in the second half compared to UBCO\u2019s five. In this game, it seemed the Heat\u2019s best shot to beat UBC\u2019s defence and score was off the corner, but even that was a tall order in the face of UBC\u2019s defence.<\/p>\n With how dominant UBC played throughout the game, it’s clear that they aren\u2019t looking past any of their opponents, despite how successful the \u2018Birds 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\u2019re up in a game, or how much they\u2019re dominating in the season, UBC plays every game with a chip on their shoulder, never relenting.<\/p>\n The T-Birds will get a short break before their sibling rivalry against UBCO continues, with their next game coming again against the Heat \u2014 this time at Thunderbird Stadium \u2014 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.<\/p>\n First online Sept. 28, 2025, 10:30 a.m.<\/p>\n Share this article <\/p>\n copied!<\/a> <\/a> \n Submit a complaint<\/a>
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