Sunday, October 7, 2012 - Calgary, AB...Goals by University of British Columbia's Taryn Lim and an equalizer by Mount Royal University striker Karlee Hodl, helped both Thunderbirds and Cougars to a single point, as the team's played to a 1-1 draw on a warm-sunny Sunday aft ernoon at Mount Royal Stadium Field.

Lim's marker just four minutes into the game gave the T-Birds the early lead, while it was second-year striker Karlee Hodl's first goal of the season that helped tie things up at the 44th minute mark. With the split, the Thunderbirds move to 6-1-2 on the year, while the Cougars secure their third point of the season improving to 0-5-3.

Alyssa Williamson made three saves in goal for UBC, while Kelsey Marklund made four for MRU.

The game started with offence right from the get-go as the Thunderbirds secured two early corners just three minutes into the match.

UBC would strike paydirt eight minutes in off their third corner, as Kelsey Marklund knocked down a cross in the box - unable to control the rebound Lim capitalized on the loose ball and coolly deposited it to the back of the Cougars net to make it 1-0.

Neither team would have another great opportunity until the 44 minute mark, as Karlee Hodl found herself streaking down the left side nearly uncontested. Taking a smooth pass from second-year Kelsey Kinzner, Hodl struck a beautiful left-footed ball past a diving Williamson that snuck just inside the far right post. It was Hodl's first Canada West goal, after scoring 11 in the ACAC last season.

The second-half started with great energy from both squads, each feeling the urgency of securing points late in the season with just a handful of games remaining.

The Thunderbirds were the aggressors, launching two consecutive shots from outside the box in the 75th minute that Marklund was able to gobble up.

In the 88th minute, the T-Birds would nearly secure their seventh win of the season as fourth-year Janine Frazao ripped a shot from just outside the 18 yard box that connected with the cross-bar and dropped right in front of Marklund who secured the rebound. With that the final whistle would blow, ending the game in a 1-1 draw.

“Coming off a tough game yesterday against TWU, we knew today was going to be a battle,” said fourth-year Cougars head coach Tino Fusco. “We got down early and things didn't look bright for us, but we battled back and managed to get to 1-1 and hold them into the wind in the second-half. We're pleased with the point, and we'll regroup for next week.”
Hodl, who added her first of the season said the team was happy with the point, but needs to continue to create offence to take it to that next level.

“They're a great team and getting a point off them is big,” said the Calgary native. “But for us it's continuing to attack, creating more chances and breaking down the other teams defence – that's going to be a big part for us moving forward.”

Canada West action next weekend sees UBC head north to Prince George, B.C. to take on fellow CIS newcomer UNBC on Oct.13, while the Cougars head east to play the University of Regina on Oct.13 and the University of Saskatchewan on Oct.14.

Catch all the action live on www.canadawest.tv