LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – The UBCO Heat women's golf team continues to sit among the conference's elite, claiming a silver medal at the Canada West Championships for the fourth consecutive year. 

The two-day tournament at the Paradise Canyon Golf Resort concluded on Tuesday, with the Heat finishing with a combined score of 29-over-par 455, 16 strokes clear of the third-place Victoria Vikes.

"We're very happy they had a nine-shot improvement from Round 1," said head coach Clay Stothers. "I'm proud of how they battled extremely tough conditions and a demanding golf course. Having three rookies play and gain experience shows how exciting the future of Heat women's golf is."

Finishing 20 shots ahead of the Heat was the UBC Thunderbirds, who earned their seventh straight Canada West title. 

Ayda Matthews made an impressive conference championship debut, finishing fourth with an eight-over-par 150 to earn Canada West First Team All-Star honours. The first-year golfer ended up just one stroke shy of the podium after improving from a five over par opening round to shoot three over par on the second day, recording four birdies, four bogeys, and one triple bogey. 

Joining Matthews as conference all-stars were Julia Alexander-Carew and Ally Ruston. 

Both Alexander-Carew and Ruston tied for fifth with a score of 11-over-par 153, with Ruston delivering a strong back nine in her second round, notching three birdies. Alexander-Carew birdied two of her final five holes to finish the second day at four-over par, earning her second consecutive all-star nod.

Kiana Chen and Georgia McGregor rounded out the Heat's performances with scores of 17-over-par 159 and 26-over-par 168, respectively. 

UBCO matched its three all-star selections from a year ago, with a younger roster stepping up to lead the way at this year's championships.

The women's team is right back in action next week as they head to the Western Washington Invitational on Monday, Oct. 12 to Tuesday, Oct. 13 at the Bellingham Golf & Country Club in Bellingham, Wash. 

WOMEN'S TEAM STANDINGS 
1. UBC Thunderbirds – 435 (+9)  
2. UBCO Heat – 455 (+29)  
3. Victoria Vikes – 471 (+45)  
4. Alberta Pandas – 487 (+61)  
5. Calgary Dinos – 504 (+78)  
6. Lethbridge Pronghorns – 515 (+89)  
7. UFV Cascades – 527 (+101) 

HEAT WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL RESULTS 
4. Ayda Matthews – 150 (+8) – First Team All-Star 
T7. Julia Alexander-Carew – 153 (+11) – Second Team All-Star 
T7. Ally Ruston – 153 (+11) – Second Team All-Star 
11. Kiana Chen – 159 (+17) 
17. Georgia McGregor – 168 (+26)