Gasparac and Babcock close final regular season with strong performances

Sabrina Gasparac (left) and Elisabeth Babcock (right) played their final regular season games for the Heat on Sunday

Sunday October 21, 2012
Nonis Sports Field, UBC, Kelowna, BC
Capilano Blues (1W-9L-4T) vs. UBC Okanagan (7W-1L-6T)
Weather: Overcast

Goals by period       1  2  Tot
——————————-
Capilano Blues……  0  1 –  1
UBC Okanagan……..  0  1 –  1

SCORING SUMMARY:
1.  76:55 CAPWSOC Demmi Skierka (unassisted)
2.  79:57 UBCO Lana Finley (unassisted)

Shots: Capilano Blues 5, UBC Okanagan 19
Saves: Capilano Blues 13 (Ariel Anderson 13), UBC Okanagan 3 (Sabrina
Gasparac 3)

KELOWNA, BC – A frigid Kelowna day cooled both offenses, as the Heat and the Blues played to a 1-1 draw in the final game of the PACWEST regular season at Nonis Field on Sunday.

The Heat controlled possession for the majority of the game, with much of the match being played in the Capilano half of the field. Numerous chances by third year mid-fielder Marissa Klees (Bellingham, WA) and forward Madeleine Greig (2nd year, Penticton, BC) kept the pressure on the Blues defense, but Capilano notched the first goal of the game in the 77th minute off the boot of forward Demmi Skierka (4th year, North Vancouver, BC).

The Heat were not to be outdone in their final home game of the season, and battled back to tie the score at 1-1. A scramble in front of the Blues net saw the ball make its way to the boot of second-year forward Lana Finley (Kelowna, BC), who buried the point-blank shot to even the score.

“Tough conditions to play in,” remarked head coach Claire Paterson. “It was looking like it was going to be a 0-0 draw, with the opportunities that we were creating and not finishing and they weren’t getting many chances. We had to fight harder and we clawed back.”

With the tie, the Heat cemented their second place finish in the PACWEST league standings with a record of 7W 6D 1L. The Heat will meet Quest University in the first round of the PACWEST playoffs.

This was not only the final game of the regular season, but also Seniors Day at UBC Okanagan. Fifth-year seniors Sabrina Gasparac (Langley, BC) and graduating Elizabeth Babcock (Calgary, AB) were honoured before the game for their contributions to the Heat program over the past five seasons.

“Looking back over the five years, it’s been amazing” said Gasparac. “This team has meant so much to me and Liz. It’s been great to be apart of it. I couldn’t be more proud to be a Heat athlete and a part of the women’s soccer team”.

“I’ve absolutely loved my time here,” reflected Babcock. “Claire’s been amazing, I’ve learned so much about soccer and I couldn’t have asked to do it with a better group of girls.

An emotional time for both players, they were greeted with flowers and hugs from their family and friends following the game.

“The two graduating players have a pretty special place in my heart,” said Paterson. “They started the same year I started, so these are the final two that are leaving [from the original team]. They’ve been a huge part of this program, and it’s been an absolute pleasure working with them. It is bittersweet seeing them move on”.

However, it’s not over quite yet for both Gasparac and Babcock; they will wrap up their university athletic careers in the PACWEST provincials and with any luck a trip to the national championship. The Heat will begin their quest for their third straight provincial medal Friday, October 26th, in Squamish, BC. Game time is 4:30 p.m.

HEAT NOTES: Sabrina Gasparac to this point in her career has compiled 19.5 Shutouts, and a league goals against average of 0.91 in 45 starts… One of her 19.5 shutouts was earned in one of her 7 playoff starts in net… Babcock played in 46 games for UBC Okanagan over her career.