KAMLOOPS – In a game that came to life late, the Thompson Rivers WolfPack women's soccer team were unable to pull off the comeback in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the UBCO Heat in Kelowna.
 
Alexis Virgo scored the first goal of her WolfPack career in added time, but it was a case of too little too late for the WolfPack after Rhema Batchondo had scored twice for the Heat earlier in the contest.
 
Trailing 1-0 after a Batchondo goal in the first half, TRU came storming back in the latter portions of the second frame.
 
In the 85 minute of play a ball into the Heat 18-yard box was mishandled by goalkeeper Molly Race, and it appeared as though Bridget Baird was able to bundle the ball into the back of the net but the referee called the goal back due to a perceived foul.
 
Things got worse for the 'Pack just moments later.
 
Batchondo got into the 'Pack 18-yard box and a challenge from the WolfPack defence brought a whistle from the referee for a penalty kick. Batchondo made no mistake from the penalty spot to finish what she started and send the Heat to a 2-0 lead in the 89th minute.
 
TRU refused to go down without a fight however, and Virgo banged in a Madeline Trozzo corner kick in extra time to draw the visitors to within one. That would be as close they'd come on the night however as UBCO was able to escape with the win.
 
Now at 5-5-2 on the year, the 'Pack remain two points ahead of both the UNBC Timberwolves (4-5-3) and UVic Vikes (4-5-3) for fourth place in the Pacific Division. With only two playoff spots to split between those three squads the battle for positioning will come down right to the wire.
 
UBCO led after the first half despite the 'Pack holding a 4-1 lead in shots on goal and a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks.
 
Batchondo opened the scoring just 13 minutes in after a broken play in the WolfPack half allowed her to find some room and fire a shot past Young.
 
TRU bounced back after that though. Virgo hit a post while both Camryn Curts and Ainsley Grether had chances inside the box but they were unable to solve Race in the opening frame.
 
The WolfPack will wrap up their regular season next weekend when they take on the UNBC Timberwolves on Friday night and the Calgary Dinos on Sunday with both games coming on the road.