The UNBC Timberwolves women’s soccer blew the top off of Masich Place Stadium.
They did it thanks to their team speed and dynamic duo of Paige Payne and Sofia Jones.
Both players highlighted a massive 3-1 victory over the Regina Cougars in Canada West soccer action in Prince George, earning the T-Wolves first victory at their new home.
UNBC jumped out to a 2-0 lead at halftime as Payne re-directed a crossover pass from Jones to beat Cougars goalkeeper Kylie Bolton.
“I feel like Sofia is doing very well fitting as a first year player on our team, she has the pace and I believe we connect on a level and everyone on our team was attacking with the fullbacks getting up there and we were all going towards the net.”
Mara McCleary then added to the edge as she headed home a free kick from Madison Emmond to give the T-Wolves a commanding advantage.
What a goal!! Maddie Emmond sends a freekick into the box for Mara McCleary to head in to put UNBC up 2-0 #GoTwolves pic.twitter.com/6BbWguchZI
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) September 15, 2018
The victory improved the team’s early season record to 1-1-1 and Payne believes this type of win can really elevate the team’s confidence heading into Sunday’s match against the Saskatchewan Huskies (11 AM).
“A win like this is really good for us because we came out last weekend and we tried our hardest we had a lot of attacking chances but didn’t get the outcomes we wanted and now this weekend on our home turf it was good to the three points.”
Jones joined the scoring parade in the second half striking home another solid feed from Emmond past the Regina keeper to stretch the lead to 3-0.
It’s been a rather short adjustment period for the second-year player from San Francisco, California who was recruited to play for the Timberwolves this summer by Head Coach Neil Sedgewick.
With a pair of goals already in the bank and some flourishing chemistry with Payne and the rest of her teammates, the decision to come up to BC’s Northern Capital is paying early dividends.
“As for the style of play up here it is just soccer and I think it was a great way to come up here and get into it with a new city and country even but it’s a lifestyle change as where I am from there is way more people everywhere so it’s been a lot different having more space and stuff like that.”
Nikita Senko scored the lone goal for Regina off of a penalty kick after UNBC defender Lydia Lavigne crashed into her goalkeeper Brooke Molby and accidently played the ball with her hand.