SOC: UBC forward makes history, LET defenceman lifts team
Steer, Sakaguchi named CW Players of the Week
CALGARY – UBC's Danielle Steer and Lethbridge's Kai Sakaguchi were named the Canada West Soccer Players of the Week by the conference on Tuesday.
Steer's six-point weekend was impressive in itself, but far more impressive was the title that came along with it: Canada West's all-time leader in career points.
Steer smashed the record over the weekend, finishing her regular season with 22 points in 14 games, a feat that tied another CW record: most points in a single season.
Her 71 career points put her well above former record-holder, Jasmin Dhanda, who posted 65 in her career with the Thunderbirds.
Steer first broke the record Friday with two assists. Her first came as she battled Trinity Western defenders down the left side, holding them off to center teammate Nisa Reehal with a perfectly-placed pass. Her second was earned off a lead pass that Katalin Tolnai made no error in finishing.
Steer then netted two of her own while helping on another two Saturday. She anticipated the play nicely to knock home her first off the goalie's initial save, then kicked a one-timer into the far corner to beat the UFV goalie for her second of the game.
UBC's two wins put them well atop the Pacific Division at 13-1, another feat Steer can take some credit for. The team tied the conference record for most wins in a single season (13, set by Calgary in 2018).
Steer and the Thunderbirds are now gearing up for the playoffs. They will take on the winner of the Prairie play-in game between Manitoba and Regina in the quarterfinals. UBC will host the match on Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Thunderbird Stadium. You can catch the action exclusively on Canada West TV.
Game log:
Oct. 14: 2 assists in 3-0 W vs TWU
Oct. 15: 2 goals, 2 assists in 6-0 W vs UFV
Meanwhile, Kai Sakaguchi helped the Lethbridge Pronghorns to some strong results against higher-ranked opponents. The second-year netted his first of the weekend on a bouncing ball around the goal, which he tucked in to extend the Pronghorns' lead over Calgary Friday. Lethbridge went on to win, 4-2.
He went hard to the net again Sunday, deflecting a ball in with his head to draw even with the conference-leading Mount Royal Cougars. Then when the Pronghorns again found themselves behind, Sakaguchi found the far side of the net off a quick pass to tie the game, which ended a 2-2 draw. Sakaguchi was responsible for both the Pronghorns' goals in an impressive result for the struggling team.
Sakaguchi and the Pronghorns will be back in action Saturday, when they host Saskatchewan at 2:15 p.m. local time. You can catch the game exclusively on Canada West TV.
Game log:
Oct. 14: 1 goal in 4-2 W vs CGY
Oct. 16: 2 goals in 2-2 D vs MRU