VANCOUVER – Despite battling turnover troubles, the UBC Thunderbirds (1-0-0) kicked off their 2009 season with a 3-0 win over the Calgary Dinos (0-1-0) on Saturday afternoon at Wright Field.
Elise Milosevich got the scoring started 11 minutes into the contest when she banged home a loose ball just inside the circle, and the game never seemed in doubt from that point on, as the 'Birds controlled the action at both ends of the field. But even though they cruised to a relatively easy season-opening win, some sloppy play and a few too many turnovers were cause for concern for UBC head coach Hash Kanjee.
“We were actually pretty disappointing,” said Kanjee. “We just spent three weeks in Argentina where we were playing really fast, aggressive and skilled games, but I have no idea what happened in this one. We turned the ball over way too much and when we had chances we didn't make anything of them.”
The 'Birds extended their lead to three before halftime thanks to two quick goals by Cayla McLean and Miranda Mann. McLean hit a powerful shot off a penalty corner in the 31st minute that Dinos goalie
Stephanie Petrowitsch got a piece of but couldn't keep out of the net. Two minutes later, Mann capped off a slick passing play off another penalty corner to give UBC a comfortable lead.
The T-Birds were just 2-for-11 on penalty corners on the day however, and they were held scoreless in the second half after missing out on several chances to extend the lead.
“Maybe it was just nerves but it's something that we are going to have to talk about as a team because that's certainly not going to get it done if we keep playing like that,” said Kanjee. “They just seemed to be off their feet and hopefully tomorrow they get back on track because I certainly hope not to see another performance like that.”
Rookie goalie Dina Bulfone got the shutout victory in her first game as a T-Bird, and she will be looking to make it two straight wins to start her CIS career tomorrow at Wright Field as UBC and Calgary square off again at 1:00 p.m.
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