KELOWNA, B.C. – UBC Okanagan midfielder
Eleni Georgacacos recorded three points, including the game-winning goal, to lift the Heat to a 3-1 victory over the visiting UNBC Timberwolves on Friday night at Nonis Sports Field.
Less than two weeks after the Heat were upset 1-0 by the Timberwolves in Prince George, Georgacacos and her teammates scored three times in the opening 30 minutes of the match to ensure there would be no upset this time around.
Rookie defender
Ainsley Kirk of Airdrie, Alta., who was making her first-ever appearance for Heat after missing all of last season due to injury, opened the scoring five minutes into the match, converting a pass from Georgacacos in the box for her first career goal.
Twenty minutes later, it was Georgacacos' turn as she scored her second goal in as many games, this time off a cross from rookie
Braxtyn Catana of Calgary, to put the hosts up 2-0.
Moments later, Georgacacos played a deft little touch in the box to fourth-year forward
Alyssa Scott of North Vancouver, B.C., who turned and fired home her team-leading third of the season to make it 3-0.
UNBC would get on the board off a set piece early in the second half but would get no closer as the Heat extended their point streak to three games.
TOP PERFORMERS
MF Eleni Georgacacos – UBCO
The second-year midfielder from Calgary had a night to remember as her three points ties the single-game team record held by four other players. She now has two goals and three assists on the year, matching her point total from her rookie season.
GK Brityn Hinsche – UNBC
The third-year goalkeeper from Williams Lake, B.C., finished the night with six saves, including the 200
th of her career, to keep her team in the contest as UBCO dominated the shot attemps 14-4.
WHERE THEY STAND
With the win, UBCO (4-3-1) keeps pace with both Victoria (4-1-3) and Trinity Western (4-1-2) in race for the second seed in the Pacific division standings. The Heat also hold a six-point cushion over both Mount Royal and Thompson Rivers for the fourth and final playoff spot in the division. As for the Timberwolves, they drop to 1-6-0 on the season and remain in last place in the Pacific.
UP NEXT
The Heat will be back in action on Saturday evening as they get set to host the U SPORTS No. 1-ranked UBC Thunderbirds at Nonis Sports Field. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. and tickets to the game are free for all fans.
