The UNBC Timberwolves have cracked the win column for the first time in 2024 on the strength of a solid goalkeeping performance, and a timely header. Sunday afternoon at Masich Place Stadium, the UNBC Timberwolves were full marks in a 1-0 victory over the visiting UBC Okanagan Heat. Brityn Hinsche returned to the UNBC goal and turned aside all 16 shots fired her way, while Blake Plummer secured their first career Canada West marker off a stunning header in the 74th minute.
On a gorgeous sunny, late summer afternoon in Prince George, the UNBC Timberwolves received an immediate boost with the return of Hinsche, last year’s team MVP and UNBC’s Female Athlete of the Year. The third-year keeper from Williams Lake was injured early in the team’s opener last weekend, and her energy and confidence naturally had a calming effect.
That confidence showed on the scoreboard too as the veteran finished the day with 16 saves.
Hinsche’s first real test didn’t come until the 23rd minute when Eleni Georgacacos had a decent look from the right side of the penalty area. But Hinsche calmly dove to her right and swallowed up the shot.
It was a cautious start for both clubs, as the teams combined for just four shots in the opening 24 minutes. Defensively, the back four of Kambria Mellum, Maleah Fernie, Blake Plummer and Keeley Read were superb in limiting the Heat’s high danger opportunities.
The best UNBC chance of the opening half came in the 28th minute when Fia Cameron took a pass off a corner kick and peppered a low shot on the UBCO goal. Talia Gagnon was square to the shot and kept it out.
At half the score was 0-0.
Hinsche’s busier half was the second, as 10 of her 16 saves came in the back-half of play. Her best of the day came in the 72nd minute when she stonewalled UBCO’s Alyssa Scott who had a clean look.
Hinsche’s dominance in goal would be rewarded at the other end of the pitch two minutes later.
Seconds after a UNBC corner attempt kept the ball to the near sideline, veteran Kjera Hayman twisted to her left and placed a bending cross into the penalty area. Blake Plummer was positioned perfectly and deflected the Hayman pass into the net off a header, giving UNBC the 1-0 lead! For Blake Plummer it marked their first career Canada West goal. For their efforts Sunday, they were named Mr. Mike’s Player of the Game.
UBCO managed six shots on the UNBC net during the final 18 minutes, but Hinsche and her crew of defenders did their job, and the end result was a hard-fought 1-0 victory for the home side.
For Hinsche it was her third career clean sheet, and the TWolves improved their early season record to 1-3-0.
Up next for the TWolves – A pair of home games next weekend. First up is UFV on Friday at 6 p.m., followed by a Sunday Noon clash with Trinity Western University.