The University of the Fraser Valley women’s soccer team came up with a solid result on the road on Friday, battling the UBC Thunderbirds to a scoreless draw.
That the game lacked for goals was thanks in large part to Kayla Klim, the Cascades’ third-year keeper. She had a fantastic night, making five saves including several of the difficult variety.
UFV Athletics file photo
“Kayla was simply outstanding in goal – she was tested quite often, but she was great,” UFV head coach Rob Giesbrecht said. “She probably made about four good saves in the match, and in a game like this, that’s huge.”
The result moved the Cascades into a tie with the Victoria Vikes for second place in the Pacific Division of Canada West. Both teams are 7-1-1, and they clash on Saturday in Abbotsford (5 p.m., Abbotsford Senior Secondary) in what will be UFV’s last home game of the regular season.
The Thunderbirds (5-2-2) are fourth in the Pacific Division.
“UBC is a great side – we have tons of a respect for their program,” Giesbrecht said. “So to come here and get a point, we’ve got to view it as one point gained rather than two points lost.
“UBC is loaded with good talent, and to hold them off the scoreboard twice this season (UFV won 1-0 in Abbotsford on Sept. 7) is a good accomplishment.”
That said, Giesbrecht termed his team’s play for much of Friday’s game as “sloppy”, and UBC boasted an edge in shots taken (12-7) and on goal (5-3). The T-Birds were at their most dangerous in the early stages of the second half, and Klim had to be sharp to deny UBC’s Jasmin Dhanda and Kym van Duynhoven and keep goose eggs on the scoreboard.
At the other end, UBC goalie Emily Wilson made a great save in the 68th minute on Shelby Beck’s long-range shot, and she later stymied Karlee Petersen on a dangerous counterattack.
“We played with hope rather than intention – knocking balls forward rather than linking through our midfielders and our forwards,” analyzed Giesbrecht, who had plaudits for midfielder Kara Delwo’s tireless defensive work.
“UBC pressed us really hard today, took away our time and space, and that led us to playing more stuff long.”
– with files from Ahmed Najdat, UBC sports information assistant
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