KELOWNA, B.C. - The Heat women's soccer team got their first win against the UNBC Timberwolves this Saturday afternoon on the Nonis field in Kelowna. 

Without a goal or a win this year, the Heat needed a spark to get their season going. It came in the form of rookie forward Catriona McFadden who scored her first career Canada West goal, breaking the Heat's scoreless and winless droughts.

The win pushes UBCO to (1-6-0) on the year while UNBC falls to (3-2-2).

McFadden, making her first career home start, netted the game-winner midway through the second half, but she had chances early on as well. She took a free kick in the 16th minute and her shot flew over the wall of T-Wolves but was held out by a diving Madi Doyle.

Jillian Hunt also had a solid chance for UBCO early on, Hunt took a pass from Erica Lampert and volleyed with the left foot. Her attempted sail just wide past the left post.

UNBC's first solid chance came in the 30th minute Julia Babicz got space, her pass to Sofia Jones just missed as the ball rolled through the box. 

Hunt got another glorious chance in the 40th minute as she took a pass from Jessica Ambrosio just outside the box. With space, her try flew just left as the Heat continued to apply pressure.

Seconds after the second half kickoff, second year player Aurora Gardiner ripped a shot of the crossbar. The rebound found Ambrosio and her try sailed just high.

In the 63rd minute, the Heat continued to press. Ambrosio got loose with some nifty footwork, her shot found the fingertips of Doyle who has able to keep it out. The rebound found Hunt who fired another shot at Doyle. The crazy sequence ended with McFadden burying the Heat's third attempt and finally ended the scoring drought.

The Timberwolves looked to switch the momentum in next minutes but defensive efforts by the Heat kept UNBC at bay. Second half sub Hannah Edmond led the charge for the T-Wolves late in the game, but defenders Lauryn Padmoroff and Anastazia Ziros set up an impassable blockade. 

The T-Wolves final chance to tie the game came off of a corner kick by Paige Payne in extra time. The ball sailed through the box as the Heat averted the crisis.
Following the win Heat head coach Craig Smith was pleased with the way the team played and he couldn't have been happier. "The girls have been working so hard, it was just great for them to get the win. It was a great team effort, and all today have to be commended," said Smith.

The Heat's homecoming weekend continues as Calgary comes to town for a Sunday matchup, the match starts at 1 p.m. on the Nonis turf. 

UNBC hits the road to play TRU in Kamloops, B.C. on Sunday at 12 p.m.

~ Brandon Smith, Heat Sports Information