KAMLOOPS – In a battle between two Interior rivals it was the visiting UBC Okanagan Heat that came out on top via a 1-0 score over the Thompson Rivers WolfPack in women's soccer action.
 
Eleni Georgacacos scored the lone goal of the game for UBCO while Talia Gagnon was magnificent in the second half and earned the shutout with a five save performance.
 
Esi Lufo was incredibly threatening all night for TRU with five shots fired towards net while Cassandra De Amaral stopped was in net for the 'Pack.
 
The WolfPack fired five shots on goal to UBCO's two in the game.
 
"I thought we gave 110 per cent right until the end and we didn't stop," said WolfPack head coach Mark Pennington. "We lacked a little quality and a little bit of luck around the net and on another day we probably get something out of that game."
 
TRU had the majority of the chances in the first half but it was the Heat who held the lead after 45 minutes of play.
 
The 'Pack had the first chance of the game just five minutes in when Lufo powered a header from a corner kick that firmly smacked the crossbar and away from danger.
 
Georgacacos scored for the Heat with their first shot on goal in the game. The first-year midfielder gathered a loose ball 25 yards away from goal and perfectly placed a shot past a diving De Amaral.
 
Gagnon made her first of many impressive stops just seconds into the second half. Lufo put the UBCO centre back under pressure, stole the ball and was in on net but Gagnon charged out to cut down the angle and make the save.
 
Substitute Amaya Heyes created another Grade 'A' chance for TRU in the 66th minute when she forced a turnover deep in the UBCO end but this time Lufo's shot sailed just wide.
 
The 'Pack continued to pile on the pressure throughout the second half but a pair of stops in the 84th and 90th minutes from Gagnon preserved the win for the Heat.
 
"That's soccer for you, they're a good team and are tough to play against, they stretched us at times, but I thought that we outchanced them," said Pennington. "We'll take the positives and move forward to next weekend."
 
Not only did the win give UBCO a step up in the President's Cup race, the annual battle between TRU and UBCO, it was also an important result in the Canada West standings.
 
TRU is now four points behind the UFV Cascades for the fifth and final playoff spot with two games left to play. Meanwhile the win allowed the Heat to tighten their hold on third place with 23 points.
 
The WolfPack were honoured to celebrate a Kamloops and TRU soccer legend prior to the game as they recognized Emily Clark for her five outstanding years with the 'Pack. En route to graduate with a science degree, Clark departs the program with her name in the record books in a number of spots including the most career game-winning goals.
 
Both teams will hit the road next weekend where they will play the UBC Thunderbirds and UNBC Timberwolves.