QUARTER-FINAL #3: 2009 CIS women’s soccer championship: T-Birds upset OUA champ York in OT

By University of Toronto sports information office

TORONTO (CIS) – Kelly Isberg scored the overtime winner in the 107th minute of play to lift the UBC Thunderbirds to a 2-1 upset win over the OUA champion York Lions in the third quarter-final game of the CIS women’s soccer championship at Varsity Centre, Thursday afternoon.

The victory extends UBC’s amazing run of success on the national stage. In 10 previous appearances, the T-Birds, who now have an all-time record of 24-5 at the tournament, have claimed 10 medals including a record five Gladys Bean memorial trophies.

The 2009 Canada West finalists advance to Saturday’s late semifinal at 3:30 p.m. where they will square off against either top-ranked Montreal or tourney host Toronto.

The Lions, who reached the lone national final in program history in their last appearance in 2007, will face the loser of Montreal-Toronto Friday at 3:30 p.m.

The Lions nearly took the lead early on in the contest as Nicole Campbell of Scarborough, Ont., sent a high lob that hit the top of the crossbar, however, it would be the Thunderbirds that would open the scoring in the 24th minute.

Kelly Cook of Maple Ridge, B.C., sent a wonderful volley from the midfield that passed over the Lions defenders. Forward Rachael Sawer was able to penetrate the defence, being the first player on the ball. The North Vancouver B.C., native kicked the ball mid-air off the first bounce, sending it past a diving Sarah Fiorini of Newmarket Ont., and into the back of the net.

UBC would continue to pressure the Lions and Janine Frazao nearly doubled up the lead in the 39th minute. The Port Moody B.C., native took a shot from a bad angle that almost found the top corner, forcing Fiorini into a solid save to her left.

The second half started immediately with end-to-end action and both sides exchanged great opportunities in the first 15 minutes of play. Zarina Giannone of Burnaby, B.C., almost scored on a wonderful passing play in the Thunderbird forward line but could not finish. The play would move quickly the other way and Ami Otaki of Kanagawa, Japan, was robbed on an excellent save by first-team all-Canadian keeper Jaclyn Dunnett of Burnaby. The OUA West player of the year nearly tied the game again only minutes later, sending a hard shot inches wide of the goal.

Campbell finally found the goal in the 64th minute, after heading another perfect cross from Otaki. The ball found its way behind Dunnett and the game would be tied 1-1.

The Thunderbirds increased the pressure in the later stages of the second half and would win a corner with under a minute left. There was a last minute scramble in front of the York Lions net but the defenders eventually cleared the ball from danger and extra time would be needed.

Both sides came out hard in the extra frame, looking to score early. Thunderbirds forward Frazao had a clear shot from just outside the penalty area. She shot a low hard ball that was right at Fiorini, who easily caught the ball and allowed no rebounds.

The tie was finally broken in the 107th minute. Rachel Sawer sent a cross in off a corner kick that found its way to Isberg, who headed the ball past the goal line, giving the Thunderbirds the lead once again.

The Lions would not find the tying marker before the end of extra time and UBC would hold on for the 2-1 upset.

SCORING SUMMARY

UBC: 1-0-0-1:2
YOR: 0-1-0-0:1

First Half
1. UBC, Rachael Sawer (1), 23rd

Second Half
2. YOR, Nicole Campbell (1) 63rd

Overtime
3. UBC, Kelly Isberg (1), 107th

Goalkeepers:
UBC: Jaclyn Dunnett (W, 1 GA, 3 save, 120:00 mins)
YOR: Sarah Fiorini (L, 2 GA, 6 saves, 120:00 mins)

Shots: UBC 6, YOR 3
Shots on Net: UBC 19, YOR 9
Corners: UBC 10, YOR 7
Offsides: UBC 0, YOR 0
Fouls: UBC 13, YOR 9
Yellow Cards: UBC (Kelly Cook)
Red Cards: none

Players of the game:
UBC: Kelly Isberg
YOR: Nicole Markowitz

CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE & RESULTS

Thursday, Nov. 12
Quarter-final 1: Queen’s 1, StFX 0 (OT)
Quarter-final 2: Trinity Western 1, UPEI 0
Quarter-final 3: UBC 2, York 1 (OT)
18:30 Quarter-final 4: Montreal vs. Toronto (SSN Canada webcast)

Friday, Nov. 13
13:30 Consolation 1: StFX vs. UPEI (SSN Canada webcast)
15:30 Consolation 2: York vs. Loser QF 4 (SSN Canada webcast)

Saturday, Nov. 14
13:30 Semifinal 1: Queen’s vs. Trinity Western (SSN Canada webcast)
15:30 Semifinal 2: UBC vs. Winner QF 4 (SSN Canada webcast)
18:30 Consolation final (5th-place match) (SSN Canada webcast)

Sunday, Nov. 15
14:00 Bronze medal (SSN Canada webcast)
17:00 Championship final (SSN Canada webcast)

- CIS -