KELOWNA, B.C. – The snakebitten Heat played attacking soccer in the second half which led to some great chances, but no goals, as they fell (2-0) to the University of Alberta Pandas on Friday night.
The Pandas women’s soccer team applied pressure on the Kelowna squad when they scored two early goals at Nonis Field.
In the 11th minute, a corner led to a strike from Kiera Fujimoto which found the top corner to put the Pandas up (1-0). The ball fell to the foot of Fujimoto who made no mistake giving Alberta the lead.
Six minutes later Brenna Mattiello got loose and fooled Heat keeper Emma Terrillon with a shot up high as Alberta found themselves up (2-0) with a lead they never relinquished.
With the win Alberta is now (2-0-1) and the loss puts the Heat at (0-3-0).
UBCO’s best chance of the game came off of a free kick in the 60th minute. Jessica Ambrosio played a free kick into the box, Erica Lambert headed the ball to the bottom left corner but Pandas’ keeper equalled the effort with a diving save.
In the 79th minute, the Heat had a free kick once again. Madelyn Ellis took the free kick and passed the ball over to Ambrosio whose shot sailed over the crossbar.
Ambrosio had another glorious chance in the 86th as she slipped passed the Panda’s defence. She came close to putting the Heat on the board with a chip shot attempt but narrowly missed the left corner.
Terrillon tied her career high with seven saves. Alberta keeper, Ashley Turner had five saves as the Heat were unable to get past the green wall of the Pandas defence.
The Heat play their second game of the weekend homestand tonight, September 14 at 5:30 when they take on the MacEwen University.
Alberta will move onto Kamloops for their match against Thompson Rivers at 5:30 tonight, September 14.
