Vancouver, BC – The UFV Cascades women's soccer team dropped their season opener 4-0 to the UBC Thunderbirds on Friday after a second half burst saw the reigning national champions pull away.

How it happened:
UFV started strong and were rewarded with the first shot of the game 10 minutes in, as Kiana Langston forced a save from Emma Sparrow from just outside the box.
The Thunderbirds found the breakthrough in the 18th minute. Cascades keeper Alana Madec saved a shot from Maddy Norman off a corner. Fraser Valley were unable to clear the loose ball, and Ava Alexander was on hand to fire home the team's first goal of the season.
 
Neither team was able to carve out any clear-cut chances for the remainder of the half, and UBC headed into the break with the narrow lead.
 
UBC started the second half well, and found a couple of quick goals to put the game to bed. Ella Sunde headed home a Taiya Dennehy free kick in the 54th minute, before Holly Whelan finished off a wonderful team goal two minutes later.
 
Kenzie Fitzgerald crashed a powerful shot off the bar for the Cascades in the 67th minute before Zoelle Apps saw a shot from a corner saved by Madec with 16 minutes remaining. 
 
Hannah Bains got onto a long ball forward from Apps in the 90th minute to chip the advancing Madac and seal the four-goal victory.

Quotable:
UFV head coach Ari Adams

"Despite today's score, our players battled and left it all on the field. We were able to frustrate and shut down UBC's attack for most of the game."

"We lost focus at moments in the second half where a strong UBC was able to capitalize on their chances."

Next Up:
The Cascades continue their opening weekend on Saturday, as they head to the island to take on the UVic Vikes in Victoria on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. The game can be seen live on Canada West TV.

To keep up with all the action follow the Cascades on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter at @ufvcascades

- With Files from Michael McColl / UBC Thunderbirds