Blake Murphy Sports Writing

Five down, three to go.

The UBC Thunderbirds women’s field hockey team won their fifth consecutive game on Saturday, extending their unbeaten start to the season and improving to 5-0. The win was the third time this year the Thunderbirds have beaten the Calgary Dinos but was by far the largest margin of victory with a 7-0 final score.

Freshman Hannah Haughn (West Vancouver, BC) opened the onslaught early, scoring just two minutes into the contest. Sara McManus (Delta, BC) and Cassandra Tayler (Vancouver, BC) both scored in short order later in the first half, giving UBC a 3-0 lead at the break.

The Thunderbirds kept their foot on the gas after halftime, too, with McManus tallying her second of the game just two minutes in. Haughn matched her teammate just a few minutes later, giving her a pair of goals on the afternoon as well.

Late in the game, Katherine Gillis (Toronto, ON) and Katie Jameson (Vancouver, BC) also added goals for good measure.

With the shutout, goalkeeper Bea Francisco (Richmond, BC) continued her stellar run of play, improving her Canada West-leading goals against average to 0.37. Teammate Alexandra Bland (Vancouver, BC) has also shut the door with a 0.83 goals against average, as the duo have shared the duties to help give the Thunderbirds the best defense in the conference.

The victory was an important one for UBC, who extended their lead in the division to five points. With just three games to go, UBC needs just a single victory to clinch the best record in Canada West. They have also already qualified for CIS Nationals.

UBC will have its chance to clinch the title tomorrow afternoon at Hawkings Field at the University of Calgary.