Consistency Key to Succeed

After a promising jaunt to the coast two weekends ago, the UBC O Heat women’s soccer team opened up the season at home this weekend hoping to make the most of that momentum. Despite opening both matches against the Capilano Blues and Vancouver Island Mariners with determination and tenacity, the tempo waned as the Heat were outscored at the final whistle on both occasions.

Opening play at home on Saturday against the Capilano Blues (4-2), the Heat met the third-place head on, with both teams showing equal possession in a tug of war for control. While Blues outshot the Heat 7-3, the Heat showed resiliency in keeping the match scoreless at the half.

The tension continued into the second half, with the pressuring Blues offence unable to break through the firm opposition of the Heat. However, with only 15 minutes left in regulation, the Heat faltered on a Blues shot off the post, allowing Capilano to sweep in the rebound for the score. Although the Heat made a few earnest efforts at the equalizer, the intensity from the first half had subsided. So with the final score drawn at 1-0 for Capilano, the Heat dropped their home opener after letting the flames fan out;

“Unfortunately, it was too little too late and we let this game get away from us. We need to work on our consistency as a team,” said Head Coach Claire Paterson “I have seen us play much better than this performance today, and to be successful in this league we have to ensure that we are playing our best game each time we step onto the field.”

Hoping to reverse their fortunes from the previous day, the Heat took to the field again Sunday against the Vancouver Island Mariners (3-3). Faltering out of the gates, perhaps due to nerves or a late wake up call, the Heat surrendered a pair of goals to the Mariners in the first 10 minutes. A lopsided pace would continue until the whistle at the half, with the score 2-0 for the visitors.

However, the Heat found a spark during half-time and with renewed vigor set the pace for a surprised Mariners squad. Rewarded at the 70^th minute with an Ashley Pereira bomber from the top of the 18 yard box, the Heat pressed hard for the tie. Unfortunately, the residual score from a lacklustre first-half allowed the Mariners to coast to a 2-1 victory at the end. With half of the season already nearly over, Paterson stressed fundamentals and consistency once again as the keys to improved success;

“We need to come out and play like we did in the second half right from the start,” explained Paterson “We really need to continue to work on the simple elements of the game [and] get those sound so we can have good performances. I hope we can turn it around in the second part of the season.”

Sept. 20 Game Summary

Sept. 21 Game Summary