Palm scored UFV’s lone goal today at Alberta.
Edmonton, Alberta….The University of Alberta Pandas, the 2nd seed in the Canada West post season tournament, defeated the UFV Cascades, the 7th seed, 2-1, today at Foote Field, in Edmonton, Alberta. The Pandas go on to the Canada West “Final Four” in Victoria, BC, hosted by the University of Victoria Vikes, next weekend. UFV’s season ends at 5-5-3 with today’s loss in the Canada West quarterfinal match.
The Cascades played a very strong game today against one of Canada West’s top soccer programs. UFV held their own in the first half controlling their share of the half and challenging the Pandas defense early in the contest. “Proud of our effort. We battled hard and just came up short. Alberta is a well-organized team that was difficult to break down and I felt we struggled at generating enough quality chances,” commented UFV head coach Rob Giesbrecht.
UFV continued to frustrate Alberta by keeping the ball in their half of the field until the Pandas goalkeeper Kelti Biggs, Spruce Grove, Alberta made a save on a Cascade free kick. Biggs then quickly punted the ball down the field to Alberta’s Julia Ignacio, Edmonton, Alberta, Ignacio brought the ball down the left side of the pitch and found Jesse Candlish, Edmonton, Alberta in front of the Cascade net and she made no mistake in beating Kalya Klim, Burnaby, BC to give Alberta the early lead at the 15th minute of play.
The Cascades kept coming and their hard work paid off in referee’s time right before the whistle blew for halftime, off a corner kick, Paige Friesen, Abbotsford, BC set up Jade Palm, Powell River, BC in front of the Pandas net and Palm headed the ball into the net for her first career Canada West post season goal.
In the second half, UFV continued to pressure Alberta and create several scoring chances but could not find that final pass to score the go ahead goal. The Pandas would regain the lead in the 72nd minute as Terri Kutryk, St. Albert, Alberta beat Klim to the lower right hard side of the net for the winning goal. The Pandas kept UFV from mounting any final scoring chance and held on for the quarterfinal victory.
Tristan Corneil, Surrey, BC was named UFV’s “player of the game” for her excellent play creating scoring chances for the Cascades and shutting down her Alberta opponents on defense. Klim made four saves in the loss to Alberta. “Kayla Klim had a great game in goal and Tristan Corneil had her best game of the season. Jade Palm was solid in the back and dangerous on set pieces. Fifth year senior Danika Snook was outstanding in leading the team with her work-rate. Her university career ended today but as always she left everything on the field,” said Giesbrecht.
The Cascades have a strong nucleus returning in 2014 and the future looks bright for the young team. “It’s difficult to have our season finish today. We are a young team with a very bright future but being eliminated is always a tough process.”
UFV 1 0 = 1
UA 1 1 = 2
Scoring
First Half:
15th Minute UA: J Candlish (J Ignacio)
45th Minute UFV: J Palm (P Friesen)
Second Half:
72nd Minute UA: T Kutryk
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