They did it the hard way.
Facing a must-win situation for the second straight game, the UNBC Timberwolves women’s soccer team wrapped up the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division of the Canada West conference Sunday at Masich Place Stadium defeating the UBC-Okanagan Heat 1-0.
In a game of epic proportions, it came down to the boot of Sofia Jones who took advantage of a defensive lapse by the Heat in the 60th minute and buried a shot past Emma Terrilon.
“Paige did an amazing job of getting me the ball and I noticed the keeper was a bit off of her line and I figured to give it a little bit of a chip and it worked.”
The magnitude of the game could be felt by Jones 90 minutes before kickoff as she was seen practicing by herself and kicking the ball into the goal.
However, she never really imagined the game-winner would come off her foot.
“No, not at all, I was feeling really nervous this morning and I just wanted to hang out with the ball and I think it helped a little bit.”
On what was the final day of the regular season, UNBC also got a little bit of help from the out-of-town scoreboard as the MacEwan Griffins played to a 1-1 draw against the TRU Wolfpack, eliminating them from playoff contention – UNBC blanked the Wolfpack 2-0 on Friday to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The victory capped off a memorable Seniors Day for the T-Wolves honouring fifth-year players Madison Emmond and Kylie Erb.
Emmond is from Prince George and is now the all-time leader in games played with 68, passing fellow local product and UNBC alumni Tianna Pius.
She says it’s been a blast playing in front of friends and family.
“It’s been awesome to have as some of the other girls don’t get that all the time whether it be everyone from high school and before it is just awesome.”
Brooke Molby earned her second consecutive shutout for UNBC with seven saves.
The Timberwolves finish the regular season with a record of 3-8-3 and will play the Manitoba Bisons in a play-in game on Friday in Vancouver with the winner playing the UBC Thunderbirds.
The men were not so lucky as they were ousted from the playoffs on the final day thanks to a 1-0 TRU victory over the UBC Thunderbirds in Kamloops.
TRU (6-6-3) held the tie-breaker over the T-Wolves due to more wins (6) even though both teams had the same winning percentage.
The 5-4-6 UNBC men wrapped up the season fifth in the Pacific Division.
Today, longtime @UNBC Timberwolves @madisonemmond & @kylie_erb took the pitch in Prince George for the final time. We thought you'd want to hear from our graduating @UNBCWSoccer players about their time as TWolves! Thank you, Ky and Mads, for your amazing contributions. pic.twitter.com/Yk7b3LjJSt
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) October 22, 2018
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
