The baptism into the CIS has been a little tougher than what the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women's soccer team had expected.

The WolfPack fell to the visiting University of British Columbia Thunderbirds 4-0 at Hillside Stadium on Friday night, September 19. The loss drops the 'Pack to 0-3 on the season while the T-Birds move to 3 wins and 2 losses.

"UBC came out and played a great game," said WolfPack head coach Tom McManus. "They knocked the ball around nicely. Some of my players struggled with the high winds in the first half but it was the same for both teams.  The girls learned a lesson."

"It took a little while to get into a rhythm but after some adjustment to the environment we started to play better," said Thunderbird coach and former national team member Andrea Neil. "I like the way they adapted well. We started slow but we started to gain confidence."

The Thunderbirds opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Amrit Berar (3^rd year, forward, Richmond, BC) took a shot towards the right side of the net that evaded WolfPack keeper Emily Edmundson (5^th year, Richmond, BC).

UBC went up by two before the end of the half when Taylor Shannick (4^th year, midfielder, Delta, BC) headed the ball in off a cross from Meaghan Pasternak (3^rd year, defender, North Vancouver, BC).  It was Shannick's second goal of the year.

The Thunderbirds took a three-goal lead in the 57th minute. It was Nicole Sydor (3^rd year, forward, Tsawwassen, BC) who took a high shot that Edmundson didn't have a chance on.  Sydor now has two goals on the year.

That prompted McManus to make a number of substitutions.  "It was good to see them on the field," he said." I said to Danilo (Caron, TRU's keepers coach) that we have some good young players here. They got some good experience here and they are just showing me that they are the future. I thought Shelby (Kieper, 1^st year, midfield, Kamloops, BC), did well. Marisa (Livingstone, 1^st year, defender, Victoria, BC) did well.  Miyoko (McKeown, 2^nd year, midfield, Port Moody, BC) was out there doing a great job. We just have to keep building on it now."

UBC added one more in the 90th minute.  Edmundson made a stop at the goal line but the ball bounced out to Shayla Chorney (3^rd year, forward, Vancouver, BC) for her second goal of the year.  Chorney was named the UBC player of the match.

Emily Wilson (3^rd year, keeper, Maple Ridge, BC) stopped only three shots for the shutout. UBC had 23 shots in the contest including 12 in the first half.

Neil gave credit to two veterans: Kym Van Duynhoven (3^rd year, middle, Burnaby, BC) and Krista Whittaker (4^th year, defender, Nanaimo, BC) for being steady influences. "They are two big players for us.  Krista has stepped up admirably to organize the back line.  Kym has stepped into that role as well. We need that strength in the middle."

Jodi Hutton (2^nd year, defender, Kamloops, BC) was named the TRU Bookstore/McDonalds "Leader of the Pack" Player of the Match.  "Jodi was phenomenal tonight," said McManus. "When we lost Marlie (Rittlinger, 4^th year, defender, Ashcroft, BC), Jodi took command out there. She was supporting people there and did a super run to get into the attacking third.  She is just a solid player. I really enjoy coaching her."

The Thunderbirds head to Kelowna to play the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat on Saturday, September 20, while the WolfPack close out their four-game homestand with a match against the University of Victoria Vikes. Kick off is noon at Hillside Stadium.

The game can be seen on live on CanadaWest.TV.