KAMLOOPS – For 60 minutes the Thompson Rivers WolfPack women's soccer team proved that they can hang with the best in the nation in an eventual 2-0 loss to the visiting UBC Thunderbirds Friday, Sep. 10.
 
"For 65 minutes I thought we were really good value," said WolfPack head coach Mark Pennington. "Everybody worked their socks off and performed as well as we could have asked for from a tactical point of view, from a mentality point of view and I couldn't be more proud of them."
 
In what was the first Canada West game in nearly two calendar years for both squads, a pair of second-half goals from fourth-year forward Danielle Steer sent the Thunderbirds to a 2-0 victory.
 
Rolling out a starting lineup that featured five players in their first year of eligibility, the WolfPack were able to go toe-to-toe with a Thunderbirds team whose last official competition was winning the 2019 U SPORTS National Championship.
 
A back-and-forth first half saw both teams strike the woodwork.
 
The T-Birds got off to a stronger start, controlling play early. That pressure nearly paid off in the 12th minute when a floating effort from Sophie Damian banged against the crossbar.
 
The young WolfPack were able to respond however, working their way back into the game. A curling effort from first-year winger Makeala Gelowitz was just pushed onto the post by UBC goalie Emily Moore in the 42nd minute.
 
It was UBC who once again took control coming out of the break.
 
After some resolute defending, the WolfPack gates were eventually breached in the 63rd minute when Steer finished off a goal after a pass from Sophia Ferreria.
 
The lead was doubled just eight minutes later with Steer once again providing the decisive finish. The forward took a pass in tight from Katalin Tolnai and slid it into the back of the net for her second of the young season.
 
Emily Moore made two saves in the victory for UBC, while Danielle Robertson was formidable for the 'Pack, making 11 stops on the night.
 
First-year defender Raiya Rumo was named the player of the match for TRU. The product of Ottawa paired with fellow first-year Caylah Lemon in the middle of the WolfPack defence, providing a stiff spine to contain a potent UBC attack.
 
"It wasn't the result we wanted, but for two players to have their first U SPORTS action come against probably two of the top attackers in the country it was great," said Pennington. "Raiya was top class, Lemon as well and then you also add Allie Shiyuk who is a true first-year."
 
These two teams will be back in action tomorrow night when they meet for a 7 p.m. fixture inside Hillside Stadium. Due to regional health restrictions spectators will not be allowed, however the game can be watched live on canadawest.tv.
 
"For 65 minutes I thought we were really good value. Everybody worked their socks off and performed everything we could have asked for from a tactical point of view, from a mentality point of view and I couldn't be more proud of them."