Women’s Soccer
Jessica Vance’s stoppage time heroics lead TWU to victory
QUEBEC CITY (U SPORTS) – The UBC Thunderbirds produced the biggest offensive output of the tournament on Friday afternoon, scoring four goals on their way to a 4-1 win over the York Lions in the second consolation semifinal of the 2022 U SPORTS Women’s Soccer Championship presented by Groupe Océan, at the TELUS-Université Laval Stadium in Quebec City.
Schedule and results
Broadcast information
The T-Birds, the nation’s favourite team at the start of the championship, will now play for fifth place on Sunday morning (9 a.m. ET) on PEPS Field #6 against the Trinity Western Spartans, who took care of fellow Canada West opponents Calgary Dinos earlier on Friday in the other consolation semifinal. The York Lions’ season is now over, with a cumulative record of 8-5-4 in 2022.
UBC struck fast and furiously in the first half. On a corner kick in the 20th minute, the ball bounced around in the box before Ella Nuttal-Smith booted it in the back of the net. Three minutes later, Nisa Reehal broke through on the right wing before sending a perfect cross that Ava Alexander redirected into the goal. York replied before halftime when Jotam Chouhan sent a long through ball behind UBC’s last defender where Nia Fleming-Thompson skillfully took care of business and closed the gap at one.
The Thunderbirds re-established their two-goal lead in the 51st minute when Katalin Tolnai was alone in front of the net after a great pass by Jayda Thompson. Tolnai took her time and found the opening to beat Lions’ keeper Ava Jones. UBC added a fourth goal in the 67th minute. Tolnai’s free kick was deflected by Jones on the crossbar, but Ella Sunde scored on the rebound, heading the ball in the back of the net to make it 4-1.
Nike Top Performers
- UBC: Katalin Tolnai
- York: Nia Fleming-Thompson
SCORING SUMMARY
First Half
20’ – UBC #5 Ella Nuttal-Smith | 1-0 UBC
23’ – UBC #15 Ava Alexander (on a Nisa Reehal assist) | 2-0 UBC
38’ – York #6 Nia Fleming-Thompson (on a Jotam Chouhan assist) | 2-1 UBC
Second Half
51’ – UBC #19 Katalin Tolnai (on a Jayda Thompson assist) | 3-1 UBC
67’ – UBC #18 Ella Sunde | 4-1 UBC