SYDNEY, NS – Finishing as U SPORTS medalists for the second straight season, the UBC Thunderbirds posted a 1-0 victory over their conference rival Mount Royal Cougars on Sunday morning in the 2023 Bronze Medal Game in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
The only goal in the game was scored by the new midfielder Luke Norman at 27th minute when the T-Birds exacted a measure of revenge against the Cougars who had defeated UBC in the Canada West final just eight days earlier.
It was just reward for the T-Birds to secure the bronze medal after virtually having possession with ten shots in the opening 45 minutes.
Norman’s second goal of the tournament came after forward pressure forced Mount Royal into a turnover deep in their own half. Markus Kaiser touched the ball, playing it forward for Norman who fired a powerful right-footed shot at the top of the penalty area that curled perfectly into the top left corner.
The conference champions applied pressure in the second half and earned several chances including three corners but were unable to find an equaliser.
Bennett McKay he made five saves and secured his 11th clear goal of the season.
Assisting on Norman’s game-winner, Kaiser earned second player of the tournament honors for the T-Birds.
While happy to wrap up the highly competitive tournament with bronze, there’s no doubt the ‘Birds are already looking ahead to 2024 with eyes on securing another national title in Oshawa, Ontario next November.
