A strong first-half performance carried the University of Victoria Vikes women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over the UBC Thunderbirds in Canada West play Friday at Centennial Stadium.
The UVic victory sets up a first-place showdown today at Centennial against the Trinity Western Spartans. The final league game of the season starts at 5 p.m.
The Spartans have a record of 10 wins and one loss for 30 points, while the Vikes are 9-1-1 for 28. Trinity Western defeated Fraser Valley 2-1 on Friday.
"I thought that we had a very good first half," said UVic coach Tracy David.
"When we got the chances, we scored on them and we were also tough defensively. We didn't want to give UBC a sniff but when we did, they scored.
"That was a good test for us and the win will give us a lift. It was also a character builder win and that should give us some confidence after defeating a very credible opponent."
UBC drops to 7-2-2. During the 27th minute, Emma Greig continued her torrid scoring pace for the Vikes. Greig connected for her 14th goal of the season when she took a crossing pass from Jaclyn Sawicki and placed a perfect header just inside the post past UBC goalkeeper Alyssa Williamson.
Five minutes later, Nathalie Scharf raced down the field on a partial breakaway. She drew two UBC defenders to her and Williamson before sending a pass to a wide-open Jackie Harrison, who had an easy tap in.
"I was screaming all the way down the field for the ball,'' said Harrison.
"Nathalie [Scharf] made a great pass and I had an open net. I think that I caught UBC a little off guard because I'm a central-midfielder and they weren't expecting me to make a run to the net.
"I thought we were a little slow in the first six minutes of the game as UBC was throwing everything at us. We weathered that storm and regained our composure.
"In the second half, UBC turned up the heat a little bit on us and we were probably sitting on the lead a little."
In the 77th minutes, Taylor Shannik countered for UBC. She beat UVic goalkeeper Steph Parker with a header after a crossing pass from Taryn Lim.
The top eight teams make the Canada West play-offs and the Vikes are assured of having a home contest (the top four play at home) next Saturday at Centennial. That game, against a yet to be determined team, will be played at 5 p.m.
The Vikes host the national championship from Nov. 8-11 at Centennial.
? The UVic men's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision on the road to UBC. Gagan-deep Dosanjh and Paul Clerc scored for UBC, while Craig Gorman replied for UVic.
UBC leads the Pacific Division at 10-0-1 for 31 points, while the Vikes are third at 5-4-2. The Vikes are back in action tonight against Trinity Western.
? The UVic men's basketball team defeated the Leth-bridge Pronghorns 80-73 at the Guy Vetrie Memorial tournament at McKinnon Gym.
Chris McLaughlin, known for his post play and rebounding, sparked the Vikes with two three-pointers late in the fourth quarter.
"I have always been working on the three-point shot but this is the first time that I've used it," said McLaughlin, who finished with a team-high 17 points. "I plan to keep shooting it."
In the tournament opener, a rematch of last year's CIS final, the Carleton Ravens downed the Alberta Golden Bears 78-65. The Ravens are the defending CIS champions.
