Victoria, BC – The University of Victoria women's field hockey team fell to provincial rivals UBC Thunderbirds 3-1 in their home opener, Sep. 26 at Lynne "Buzz" Beecroft Field.
 
Vikes got the home crowd into the game early.

• In their home opener and against their provincial rivals, the Vikes were on the attack early. On the front foot, the Vikes earned a penalty corner in the first minute. Julia Boraston received the corner and sent it to Ava Winter, who looked for a shot on net. Winter's attempt was blocked, but Sadie Lee was on the doorstep to bury the opening goal in this heated rivalry.
• Five minutes later, Victoria was back in the offensive zone looking for their second of the game. Robyn Goh turned aside two quality shots from the Vikes to keep the game 1-0.

 
The Thunderbirds began to find their footing offensively.

• The last five minutes of the first quarter were spent with UBC pressing, but unable to find the back of the net. Their best chance found the target, but Anais Chace stacked the pads to keep her first-quarter shutout alive.
• To start the second quarter, the Thunderbirds were back looking for their first of the game. A shot attempt by Wynn Brown earned the T-Birds a penalty corner. Off the corner, a blast by Sukhman Hundal deflected off a defender and into the top shelf of the net.

 
Pascale Pottier kept the game tied.

• Victoria pushed to break the tie in the second quarter, but UBC's Pascale Pottier made several key stops.
• With time winding down in the second, the Thunderbirds earned a penalty corner. Off the corner, Anais Chace made the initial save, but Sydney Le found the rebound and tucked it home. Le's goal narrowly beat the buzzer, giving UBC a 2-1 lead at the halftime break.

 
 
UBC found a third halfway through the third.

• A pair of short corners had UBC in good position to find a third goal halfway through the third quarter. On the second corner, a pass to Riley Brown backdoor gave her a tap-in goal, to put UBC in front 3-1.

 
The Vikes made a push, but the Thunderbirds defended effectively.

• In the final four minutes of the match, the Vikes tried to come back, but their short-corner attempts were defended perfectly by the Thunderbird defensive units.

 
The Vikes and Thunderbirds will return to action in a rematch tomorrow, Sep. 27, at Lynne "Buzz" Beecroft Field.
 
 
SCORING SUMMARY
VIC – Sadie Lee, 2', VIC 1-0
UBC – Sukhman Hundal, 16' TIE 1-1
UBC – Sydney Le, 30' 2-1 UBC
UBC – Riley Brown, 39' 3-1 UBC
 
GOALKEEPERS
VIC - Anais Chace, 60MP, 3 GA
UBC – Robyn Goh, 30MP, 1 GA
UBC – Pascale Pottier, 30MP, 0 GA
 
 
CARDS
UBC – Wynn Brown, GC, 21'
VIC – Maeve Connorton, GC, 26'
UBC – Puneet Lit, YC, 57'