Abbotsford, BC – An Alana Madec shutout, and a late header from Kenzie Fitzgerald gave the UFV Cascades a 1-0 victory over the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack on Saturday night at Rotary Stadium.   

The win is huge for the Cascades playoff hopes, as their record improves to 3-5-2 and leaves them just one point back of Victoria for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Pacific Division. TRU meanwhile falls to 5-5 on the season to sit third in the Pacific. 

How it Happened:
Thompson Rivers looked strong in the opening half, firing six shots towards the UFV goal in the opening 30 minutes, but were unable to find a breakthrough. It looked as though they had the opening goal in the 42^ndminute when Canada West leading scorer Esi Lufo looped a header over Madec and into the goal, but unfortunately for the WolfPack it was called back for offside.

Lufo once again had a glorious chance to open the scoring in the 54^th minute, as she broke in alone, but a sliding save from Madec kept the game scoreless. 

The Cascades struck with 20 minutes remaining when Kenzie Fitzgerald got her head to a Camryn Lyon corner kick. Fitzgerald's header struck a TRU defender before crossing the line and giving the Cascades the lead.

Both teams had chances in the final 20 minutes, but neither team was able to find a decisive moment, as the Cascades held on for their third win of the season.

Notable:
Madec earned her second consecutive clean sheet in the effort, and her third of the season.

The Cascades have notched four shutouts this season, tied for the fourth most in Canada West. 

Despite TRU taking 12 shots in the game, the Cascades only allowed one on target in the contest. In contrast, UFV was on target with both of their attempts.

Quotable:
Cascades goalkeeper Alana Madec

"We all battled and pushed to the 90, and I'm just really proud of all of us. We put in the effort and it paid out to get the win, so I'm just so happy about this weekend, and getting a shutout as well is big for me."

"I give one hundred percent credit to my defence. They have saved me a thousand times, and I appreciate Kenzie [Fitzgerald] getting all of those headers. She has made such a big difference, so has Jenna [Ericson] and everyone on the back line."

Next Up:
The Cascades have a bye week next week, before they return home to face the University of Victoria and UBC on October 10 and 12.

To keep up with all the action follow the Cascades on social media at @ufvcascades