T-Birds topple WolfPack in Canada West women’s soccer final

Jayda Thompson opened the scoring in the 10th minute for the T-Birds, who controlled possession and territory for much of the contest at Thunderbird stadium.

TRU responded quickly through Albanian danger woman Esi Lufo, whose free kick from just outside of the 18-yard box was unstoppable, hitting the crossbar before touching down across the goal line.

A contingent of WolfPack fans made the trip to the Coast for the contest and came toting drums, which sounded a little louder along with the heartbeat of the underdog WolfPack after Lufo’s stike.

The T-Birds continued to pressure.

WolfPack goalkeeper Floor Ursem made several notable stops and Aliyah Deneault of Kamloops cleared one UBC effort off of the goal line.

Doerksen, who was named Canada West Women’s Soccer Championship MVP, restored the home team’s lead in the 44th minute.

UBC emerged after the halftime break determined to snare an insurance marker and did so in the 59th minute, when Sienna Gibson’s curling belter soared into the top corner, leaving Ursem with no chance.

Maddy Norman tallied her second assist on UBC’s third goal, a fatal blow for the Kamloops visitors.

The WolfPack, playing without injured Kiwi winger Hannah Saxon for the entire game and ailing Kat Stewart in the second half, were unable to muster much in the way of offence.

UBC, which has not lost this season, claimed its 19th Canada West women’s soccer title.

There were mostly smiles from WolfPack players after the game while they were presented with silver medals.

“This is not a normal loss for us,” WolfPack forward Esi Lufo said. “We knew coming into this game it would be hard for us. We knew we were winners, no matter what.”

TRU will return to practise on Monday in Kamloops ahead of its first national championship tilt next week

by Marty Hastings

T-Birds topple WolfPack in Canada West women’s soccer final

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