VANCOUVER – A defensive battle highlighted the start of the 2019-2020 campaign of the Legends Cup as the UBC Thunderbirds (2-0-1) and the UVic Vikes (1-0-2) played to a 0-0 tied Saturday at Wright Field.
 
"I think they really kept their composure this game, especially with the rivalry, it can get a bit scrambly, but I think we did an excellent job just keeping our heads in the game," said UBC head coach Poonam Sandhu following the game.
 
It was evident the pressure of the rivalry was getting to both teams as the early going was plagued by errant passes and turnovers.
 
The Vikes got the first real opportunity of the game in the opening period. They were rewarded with three consecutive corners, but the stifling play of first year goaltender Hannah Rumble kept them off the board.
 
The rest of the period went by with neither team able to muster anything offensively.
 
The second period saw a little more action from both teams, exchanging corners, but again it was the strong defensive play from both sides that kept the game scoreless going into halftime.
 
The second half was much of the same for both sides. A mishandling of an entry pass off a UBC corner was the 'Birds' lone chance. As for the Vikes, they were able to get some pressure on the 'Birds defence but came away with nothing to show for it.
 
The play of the game came in the dying minutes of the match. Off a UBC corner, it was the Vikes goaltender, Robin Fleming, with an outstanding game-saving stick save. That was the last great opportunity for both teams as the game ended in the 0-0 draw.
 
"I think we will go back to the drawing board," added Sandhu. "There are some elements we weren't really executing on our game plan, so we are going to go back and make sure we are getting it done."
 
Both teams are back at Wright Field Sunday for game two of the weekend series which gets underway at 11:00 a.m. PT.

UVic 0-0—0
UBC 0-0—0
 
SCORING SUMMARY
No scoring
 
GOALKEEPERS
UVIC – Robin Fleming, 60 MP, 0 GA
UBC – Hannah Rumble, 30 MP, 0 GA
UBC – Ava Aminbakhsh, 30 MP, 0 GA
 
CARDS
No cards