VANCOUVER – With a chance to hand the UBC Thunderbirds their first loss of the season, the UVic Vikes women's field hockey team failed to find the back of the mesh as they got blanked 2-0 during Saturday's afternoon tilt at Wright Field.

The Tunderbirds are still undefeated at 3-0-0, while the Vikes were handed their first loss of the season for a 1-1-1 record.

UBC struck first in the 13th minute, when Poonam Sandhu picked up her first goal as a T-Bird. Duncan native, Elise Milosevich broke in on the Victoria goal and put a shot off the post, and Sandhu was there to bang home the rebound to give the home side the lead.

That turned out to be all the 'Birds needed, as the defence held firm, and rookie goalie Dina Bulfone got her third straight shutout to begin her CIS career.

Vikes forward #Natalie Wise# had a good chance to tie the game at one a few minutes into the second half, as she managed to collect a bouncing ball and slip in behind the UBC defence, but with a charging Bulfone, her shot sailed just wide.

Just a few minutes later, Vikes goalie #Kaitlyn Williams# was tested on a breakaway chance as well, and she managed to charge out and catch enough of Milosevich's shot to deflect the ball wide and keep her side within a single goal. However, Milosevich redeemed herself on the ensuing long corner, as the ball found her in front of goal and she let go of a one-timer that beat Williams just inside the far post.

Both goalies made impressive saves in the final minutes of the contest.

Vikes take on the T-birds Sunday at Wright Field to finish up the two-game set. Game time is 1:00 pm.