CW Announces Players of the Week

Nov. 14, 2023 – It was a great weekend to be a UBC Thunderbird.

The T-Birds enjoyed a remarkable weekend of success, capturing national championships in women’s soccer as well as men’s and women’s cross country, a national bronze medal in men’s soccer – not to mention a dramatic Hardy Cup win over Alberta. Seven T-Birds in total were recognized on Tuesday as Canada West named its Players of the Week.

Cross Country - Katie Newlove (UBC) and Andrew Davies (UBC)

For the first time in program history, the UBC Thunderbirds claimed both the men's and women's U SPORTS Cross Country National Championships last weekend in London, Ont.

Newlove claimed individual gold on the women’s side – the second straight year UBC has done so – to lead the T-Birds' women to their first ever U SPORTS banner. She completed the 8km course in a blistering 29:06.8.

Meanwhile, Davies claimed a national bronze medal while helping the men's squad to their first Canadian title since 1993. He flew through the 8km course in an impressive 24:24.7.

Women’s Soccer - Katalin Tolnai (UBC)

Despite being the clear focus for opposing defences, Tolnai was simply undeniable during the Thunderbirds run to the 2023 U SPORTS national championship.

The Canada West and U SPORTS Player of the Year scored one of the biggest goals in T-Birds history on Sunday, lifting UBC past the rival Trinity Western Spartans in the national final thanks to some last-minute heroics. With the teams deadlocked late into the second overtime period, Tolnai headed a perfect cross from Jayda Thompson that just snuck across the goal line for the championship deciding goal.

Tolnai was also declared the championship MVP and named to the championship all-star team.

Men’s Soccer - Markus Kaiser (UBC)

Kaiser delivered three impactful performances during the 2023 U SPORTS men’s soccer national championships in Sydney, N.S. last weekend, twice earning player of the game honours while leading the T-Birds to a national bronze medal.

After being named player of the game in a 2-1 quarterfinal win over StFX, the third-year midfielder capped off his season with another player of the game nod in the bronze medal game against CW rival Mount Royal University. He controlled the pace of play in the midfield while also assisting on Luke Norman’s game winning goal, helping the T-Birds down the Cougars 1-0 to secure the hardware.

Football Offensive Player of the Week – Sam Davenport (UBC)

Davenport delivered the clutch touchdown catch that led UBC to a miraculous last-minute comeback over Alberta in the 86^th Hardy Cup on Saturday.

The third-year receiver from Abbotsford, B.C. was a frequent target for UBC quarterback Garrett Rooker throughout the game, racking up 137 yards on ten receptions. But it was his touchdown on the final play of the game that will forever be etched in Thunderbirds history, leading UBC to an unforgettable and improbable 28-27 Hardy Cup victory. ​

Football Defensive Player of the Week – Taaj Jhooty (UBC)

The Thunderbirds’ dramatic victory in the 86^th Hardy Cup doesn’t happen without an unbelievable last-minute comeback, and that comeback doesn’t happen without a crucial play from Jhooty.

Trailing 27-21 with less than a minute to go and Alberta deep in UBC territory, the T-Birds second year defensive lineman forced a fumble by Bears quarterback Eli Hetlinger. It gave the hosts an opening and the UBC offence took advantage, marching 95 yards for the game winning score. Jhooty also added three solo tackles and an assisted tackle in the game.

Football Special Teams Player of the Week - ​ Kieran Flannery-Fleck (UBC)

With the Hardy Cup on the line, Flannery-Fleck delivered one of the biggest kicks of his life.

The third year kicker from Ottawa, Ont. made four extra points in the 86th Hardy Cup against Edmonton, but none bigger than his walk-off extra point conversion. It was the exclamation mark on an unbelievable 95-yard TD drive by the UBC offence with under a minute to play, with the final TD coming with zeroes on the clock. The extra point was also no chip-in, as a UBC penalty pushed the kick back to a 27-yard attempt.

Women's Basketball - Maddy Gobeil (UFV)

Gobeil’s big offensive weekend paced the Cascades to a pair of home opening wins over the Victoria Vikes.

The fourth-year guard from Kamloops, B.C. scored a game-high 31 points as the Cascades picked up an 89-65 win on Friday. She then led all scorers for the second straight night in a 72-49 win on Saturday, scoring 20 points and adding five steals. 

Men's Basketball - Adam Paige (Alberta)

The fifth-year forward from Surrey, B.C. got it done on both ends of the court as the Golden Bears came away with a weekend road split against Mount Royal.

Paige had a game high 27 points and completed the double-double with 12 rebounds in a tight 90-84 loss on Friday. He followed that up with 15 points and eight rebounds in a bounce back 93-78 win the following night. He also added a block and two steals over the two games.

Women's Hockey - Mallory Dyer (Saskatchewan)

Dyer’s big game against the Calgary Dinos on Saturday helped the Huskies come away with an important road split.

The third-year forward from Calgary, Alta. opened the weekend with an assist in a tight 3-2 loss on Friday, then drove the Huskies offence with a goal and two helpers in a 3-1 win on Saturday. She now has four goals and three assists in 12 games, and her +8 is tied for the team lead in +/-.

Men's Hockey - Connor Bouchard (Mount Royal)

Bouchard kept up his torrid scoring pace, helping the Cougars to a weekend split against a tough Alberta Golden Bears side.

He scored a goal and two assists in a dominant 5-1 win on Friday, then added a goal and a helper in a 6-3 loss the following night. The second-year forward from Cochrane, Alta. now has 8 goals and 14 assists through 10 games, leading the conference in points per game with 2.20.

Men's Volleyball - Isaac Heslinga (Alberta)

Heslinga brought his best during a rematch of the 2023 Canada West Finals against the arch rival Trinity Western Spartans.

The third-year outside hitter finished with a team-high 17 kills and five digs in a 3-1 defeat on Friday, then helped the Bears rebound with a comeback 3-1 win on Saturday. He had a game-high 17 kills in that match to pace the Alberta offence, hitting an impressive .316. He also added eight digs between the two games.