Off to their best start in program history, the WolfPack women’s soccer team headed into the weekend undefeated through their first eight games.
The ‘Pack were sitting in second place with a 5-0-3 record and were fresh off a strong sweeping weekend against U SPORTS No. 10-ranked TWU Spartans, where they won 1-0 and 2-0 over UFV, without allowing a goal.
The eight-game undefeated run is the best start in program history for the ‘Pack. The team is in a great position to seek their return to the CW postseason, which would be the first time since 2022, when they reached the bronze medal match.
Their next challenge for the Wolfpack was to face the No. 1-ranked UBC Thunderbirds at home. The Thunderbirds entered the weekend 10-0-0 to start their season. UBC was also on a historic winning streak of 42 straight games in Canada West play. Within that, they have also had 25 consecutive shutouts and have not allowed a goal in conference play since oct 18, 2024.
On the rainy Friday night, the Thunderbirds struck early to take a 1-0 lead, before soon doubling it. But the ‘Pack wasn’t going down without a fight. Just minutes before half, Sara Kuusimaki forced a turnover before sending a pass to Macyn Jolly. She then played the ball through multiple UBC defenders and set up Allison Hill for an opportunity at the top of the 18-yard box. Hill struck the ball and sent it towards the top corner of the net to snap the Thunderbirds’ 25-game clean sheet. It was the second game that Hill, a hometown rookie from Valleyview Secondary, was able to net a goal. The WolfPack tried to tie up the game in the second half. With the loss, it officially broke the ‘Pack’s undefeated streak.
“UBC is an unbelievably good team we knew that going in but I couldn’t be more proud of the group and how they stuck to the plan. UBC is always a threat going forward but we conceded two goals that are a bit disappointing from our end but we know that good teams that can do that to you.” head Coach Mark Pennington said in a press release about the game against UBC.
Despite the loss, the ‘Pack picked up their boots and got ready for their game the following day against UNBC.
Both teams saw scoring chances through the first half, with UNBC’s best chance all game coming in the 23rd minute; however, it remained scoreless. Late in the game, a UNBC defender pulled down a TRU player in the box during a corner kick, giving the ‘Pack an opportunity to score on a penalty kick. Jolly took the kick and sent the ball to the back of the net to put TRU ahead by one. The WolfPack held control of the game until time ran out to secure the victory and hold onto their second-place spot in the division. The clean-slate win was also Goaltender Floor Ursem’s seventh shutout in just 10 games this season.
“[Jolly] showed some real character to step up for the penalty. The person that we had setup to take the penalty had already come off the field, so she just took it upon herself and credit to her because she slotted it away.” Pennington said.
The Pack are currently holding onto the second position in the Pacific Division; they will need to stay in second place or better to secure an at-home playoff game. They have four games left in the regular season, including facing UBC again next weekend on their home turf. They will also face TWU twice and UBC, both teams they have emerged victorious over earlier in the season.