BY CARY MELLON
UBCO Athletics
Two quick goals to start the Canada West women’s soccer season, one each for the visiting UNBC Timberwolves and the home UBC Okanagan Heat in the first two minutes, started the match off with a bang. Both squads scored again the second half as the match in Kelowna on the Nonis Sports Field ended in a (2-2) draw on Saturday (Sept. 8) afternoon.
After an interruption filled preseason, for both teams, it was apparent both squads were anxious to play in a full match. UBC Okanagan started quickly down the field, earned a corner, where Ally Ferronato crossed to defender Lindsey Berthelsen who went up and put the header home, in just the first minute of action.
Almost like a tennis match trying to break serve, the Timberwolves, with the possession off the UBCO goal, marched down and scored in the next minute as Paige Payne scored the first of two goals in the match to even the score.
The equalizer came for UBC Okanagan with just 15 minutes to play when first year Aurora Gardiner scored in her first Canada West contest. The goal was a first year player connection as Lauryn Padmoroff carried the ball a length through the middle then connected with Gardiner who took advantage of a creeping UNBC keeper, Brooke Molby, and calmly finished for 15 yards out.
The first goal by Payne was off a deep right cross and a missed attempt by Kiana Swift with the ball landing on Payne’s right foot she shimmied around the defender and went just inside the right post with a sound strike.
Both teams had numerous chances throughout he match. UNBC’s Madison Emmond smoked the left post in the 13th minute, and in the second half with the Heat’s keeper, Emma Terrillon, straying from her net a UNBC long high ball almost into the back of the net.
With this being the first match of the season both teams boast a (0-0-1) record on the brand new season.
“The girls have not had a lot of time in the preseason because of the smoke [and they are] just getting back on a big field. I’m delighted with them, they are such an amazing group, how much they want to play the game and take control of the ball. I can’t ask for anymore then that,” finished Smith.
