KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Rookie forward Maria Georgacacos had a goal and an assist to lead the UBCO Heat women's soccer team (6-5-2) to a 2-1 victory over the Thompson Rivers WolfPack (5-8-0) on Saturday afternoon.
 
The victory moved the Heat into third in the Canada West standings with 20 points, one point ahead of the Victoria Vikes (5-5-4), earning them a spot in the Canada West playoffs while simultaneously eliminating the WolfPack from contention.
 
Georgacacos was the star of the afternoon for the Heat and she got UBCO on the board first in this crucial matchup. In the 22^nd minute, fifth-year forward Abigail Taneda played a perfect through-ball from midfield for Georgacacos. The rookie ran onto the pass before turning a WolfPack defender inside-out and firing the ball past keeper Floor Ursem for her fourth goal of the season to give the Heat a 1-0 lead.
 
Minutes later, however, the WolfPack responded thanks to Esi Lufo's ninth goal of the season to breathe life into the hosts.
 
Before the end of the half, the Heat retook the lead when Georgacacos curled a pass into the box for fifth-year midfielder Annika Gross. The veteran made no mistake, whistling a shot into the top of the net for her third goal of the season and restoring the UBCO advantage.
 
In the second half, the Heat were content to play defensive, limiting the WolfPack to just three shot attempts, and only one on goal. The hosts were unable to breakthrough a determined Heat squad as UBCO ran out the clock to claim in the victory.
 
Heat keeper Talia Gagnon finished the match with four saves to earn the victory, her fifth of the season. Meanwhile, Ursem didn't register a save as the Heat scored on both of their attempts on goal.
 
The victory also gives UBCO the early lead in the women's Presidents' Cup trophy race as the Heat hold a 1-0 advantage.
 
The two teams will square off again on Sunday afternoon, October 19, to wrap up action in the Canada West regular season. The game is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m.