{
    "title": "Women's Soccer: 2026 Final Four Preview",
    "modified_at": "2026-11-05 12:43:54",
    "published_at": "2026-11-05 12:38:00",
    "url": "https://canada-west.prezly.com/womens-soccer-2026-final-four-preview",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/QVoe",
    "culture": "en_GB",
    "language": "EN",
    "subtitle": "UBC hosts semifinals Thursday, medal games on Friday",
    "slug": "womens-soccer-2026-final-four-preview",
    "body": "<p>Nov. 6, 2026 - The road to the Canada West championship comes down to four teams, with the conference&#039;s Final Four set to take centre stage Thursday and Friday at UBC&#039;s Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver. </p><p>All four remaining contenders hail from the Pacific Division, after UBC, Trinity Western, Thompson Rivers and Victoria all advanced past Prairie Division foes in the quarterfinal round. </p><p>The host Thunderbirds, who finished the regular season with an undefeated 13-0-1 record, will face longtime rivals Trinity Western in the first semifinal on Thursday at 4 p.m. MDT. UBC advanced with a 1-0 quarterfinal victory over MacEwan, while the Spartans earned their Final Four spot with a dramatic 2-1 road win over Mount Royal. </p><p>The second semifinal pits Victoria versus Thompson Rivers at 7 p.m. PDT. The Vikes used a late goal to upset the Prairie Division&#039;s top-seeded Calgary Dinos in their quarterfinal, while the WolfPack secured their berth with 3-1 win at home against Saskatchewan.</p><p>Fans can stream all games on <a href=\"https://canadawest.tv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BioSteel Canada West TV</a>, with postseason packages and single-game passes available. </p><p>The medal-round games take place Friday, with the Bronze Medal Game set for 1 p.m. PDT and the Gold Medal Game at 4 p.m. PDT. </p>\n    <figure\n        class=\"release-content-image release-content-image--contained release-content-image--align-center\"\n        data-component=\"image-zoom-popup\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-selector=\".release-content-image__image\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-i18n=\"data:application/json;base64,eyJEb3dubG9hZCI6IkRvd25sb2FkIn0=\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-views-event=\"Story Image View\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-download-event=\"Story Image Download\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-placement=\"content\"\n    >\n        <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover\" style=\"width: 100%\">\n            <img\n                src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/bc6e62cb-6c5a-46bf-ad10-05c1f09bc66f/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                                class=\"release-content-image__image image-thumbnail-rollover__image\"\n                data-description=\"\"\n                id=\"image-bc6e62cb-6c5a-46bf-ad10-05c1f09bc66f\"\n                data-id=\"bc6e62cb-6c5a-46bf-ad10-05c1f09bc66f\"\n                data-original=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/bc6e62cb-6c5a-46bf-ad10-05c1f09bc66f/-/inline/no/WSOC-2026-Bracket-02.jpg\"\n                data-mfp-src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/bc6e62cb-6c5a-46bf-ad10-05c1f09bc66f/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                alt=\"Story image\"\n            />\n            <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover__caption\">\n                <svg class=\"icon icon-expand image-thumbnail-rollover__caption-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-expand\"></use>\n            </svg>            </div>\n        </div>\n\n        <figcaption class=\"release-content-image__caption\"></figcaption>\n    </figure>\n<hr /><p><strong>Semifinal #1 - Pacific #1 UBC Thunderbirds (13-0-1) vs Pacific #3 Trinity Western Spartans (8-4-2)</strong></p><p>4 p.m. PDT at Thunderbird Stadium</p>\n    <figure\n        class=\"release-content-image release-content-image--contained release-content-image--align-center\"\n        data-component=\"image-zoom-popup\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-selector=\".release-content-image__image\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-i18n=\"data:application/json;base64,eyJEb3dubG9hZCI6IkRvd25sb2FkIn0=\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-views-event=\"Story Image View\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-download-event=\"Story Image Download\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-placement=\"content\"\n    >\n        <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover\" style=\"width: 100%\">\n            <img\n                src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/40eae128-588b-4056-9c3d-81786f062399/-/crop/2255x1439/31,147/-/preview/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                                class=\"release-content-image__image image-thumbnail-rollover__image\"\n                data-description=\"Photo by Vamsi Nadella\"\n                id=\"image-40eae128-588b-4056-9c3d-81786f062399\"\n                data-id=\"40eae128-588b-4056-9c3d-81786f062399\"\n                data-original=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/40eae128-588b-4056-9c3d-81786f062399/-/crop/2255x1439/31,147/-/preview/-/inline/no/DSC08922.jpg\"\n                data-mfp-src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/40eae128-588b-4056-9c3d-81786f062399/-/crop/2255x1439/31,147/-/preview/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                alt=\"Photo by Vamsi Nadella\"\n            />\n            <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover__caption\">\n                <svg class=\"icon icon-expand image-thumbnail-rollover__caption-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-expand\"></use>\n            </svg>            </div>\n        </div>\n\n        <figcaption class=\"release-content-image__caption\">Photo by Vamsi Nadella</figcaption>\n    </figure>\n<p><strong>Quick Overview</strong></p><p>It&#039;s another chapter of this storied west coast rivalry. </p><p>The Thunderbirds will have an opportunity to defend their Canada West title on home ground after an impressive quarterfinal performance against MacEwan. UBC controlled much of that contest in finishing with approximately 70 per cent possession, more than 20 shots and 14 corner kicks before eventually finding the breakthrough in a narrow 1-0 victory. Maddy Norman scored the lone goal to send the T-Birds through to the semifinals, keeping their undefeated season intact. </p><p>The Spartans, meanwhile, needed late-game heroics to secure their place in Vancouver, edging Mount Royal 2-1 on the road. Luciana Andrews opened the scoring in the 14th minute before the Cougars equalized in the 89th minute. Fourth-year forward Mansha Sidhu stayed calm and delivered the decisive moment, scoring directly from a free kick in added time to send Trinity Western through. The Spartans have reached the Canada West Final Four in 25 of the past 26 seasons and are looking for their first conference title since 2023, when they upset UBC in the Canada West Final. </p><p><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p><p><strong>UBC - Maddy Norman:</strong> Recently named Canada West Player of the Year, the third-year forward has been one of the nation&#039;s most dominant offensive players this season, tying the Canada West single-season points record with 22 points in 14 games. Norman led the conference with 14 goals while adding eight assists, and continued her scoring touch in the postseason by netting the lone goal in UBC&#039;s 1-0 quarterfinal victory over MacEwan. </p><p><strong>Trinity Western &ndash; Mansha Sidhu:</strong> A Canada West Pacific Division All-Star, Sidhu will be feeling confident after delivering a clutch performance in the Spartans&#039; quarterfinal victory against MRU, scoring the game-winning goal on a free kick in extra time. She also added an assist, playing a key role in sending the Spartans back to the Final Four. </p><hr /><p><strong>Semifinal #2 - Pacific #2 Thompson Rivers WolfPack (8-2-4) vs Pacific #4 Victoria Vikes (4-3-7)</strong></p><p>7 p.m. PDT at Thunderbird Stadium</p>\n    <figure\n        class=\"release-content-image release-content-image--contained release-content-image--align-center\"\n        data-component=\"image-zoom-popup\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-selector=\".release-content-image__image\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-i18n=\"data:application/json;base64,eyJEb3dubG9hZCI6IkRvd25sb2FkIn0=\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-views-event=\"Story Image View\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-download-event=\"Story Image Download\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-placement=\"content\"\n    >\n        <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover\" style=\"width: 100%\">\n            <img\n                src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/1ae6c62b-2f1a-4a45-87dc-e5b6f78efad6/-/crop/3800x2747/664,134/-/preview/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                                    srcset=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/1ae6c62b-2f1a-4a45-87dc-e5b6f78efad6/-/crop/3800x2747/664,134/-/preview/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/ 1x, https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/1ae6c62b-2f1a-4a45-87dc-e5b6f78efad6/-/crop/3800x2747/664,134/-/preview/-/resize/2400x/-/format/auto/ 2x\"\n                                class=\"release-content-image__image image-thumbnail-rollover__image\"\n                data-description=\"Photo by Justin Morash\"\n                id=\"image-1ae6c62b-2f1a-4a45-87dc-e5b6f78efad6\"\n                data-id=\"1ae6c62b-2f1a-4a45-87dc-e5b6f78efad6\"\n                data-original=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/1ae6c62b-2f1a-4a45-87dc-e5b6f78efad6/-/crop/3800x2747/664,134/-/preview/-/inline/no/DSC01423.jpg\"\n                data-mfp-src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/1ae6c62b-2f1a-4a45-87dc-e5b6f78efad6/-/crop/3800x2747/664,134/-/preview/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                alt=\"Photo by Justin Morash\"\n            />\n            <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover__caption\">\n                <svg class=\"icon icon-expand image-thumbnail-rollover__caption-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-expand\"></use>\n            </svg>            </div>\n        </div>\n\n        <figcaption class=\"release-content-image__caption\">Photo by Justin Morash</figcaption>\n    </figure>\n<p><strong>Quick Overview</strong></p><p>Two Pacific Division rivals will meet with a nationals berth and a place in the Canada West gold medal game on the line. Thompson Rivers makes its first Final Four appearance since 2022, while Victoria looks to reach the conference final for the second time in three seasons.</p><p>The WolfPack earned their spot with an impressive 3-1 quarterfinal victory over Saskatchewan, overcoming an early deficit before taking control of the match. Sara Kuusim&auml;ki equalized in the 11th minute before Esi Lufo gave TRU the lead five minutes later. Lufo added her second of the afternoon in the 81st minute with a spectacular free kick to seal the victory. Goalkeeper Floor Ursem also played a key role, making several important saves to preserve the WolfPack advantage.</p><p>Victoria arrives in Vancouver following one of the biggest upsets of the quarterfinal round, knocking off Prairie Division champion Calgary 2-1 on the road. Goalkeeper Stefanie Mocnik helped keep the match scoreless through the opening half before Hannah Harper opened the scoring in the 56th minute. Calgary responded six minutes later, but the Vikes found a late winner through Adrianna Hilton in the 85th minute to book their place in the semifinals.</p><p><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span><strong>Thompson Rivers &ndash; Esi Lufo:</strong> Always a threat to find the back of the net, Lufo provided two moments of extreme quality in the WolfPack&#039;s quarterfinal win over Saskatchewan. She scored twice, including a spectacular free kick in the 81st minute to seal the win. Her attacking presence will be crucial against a Victoria team that has shown a tight defensive style.</span></li><li><span><strong>Victoria &ndash; Adrianna Hilton:</strong> Hilton delivered the decisive moment in the Vikes&#039; quarterfinal upset, scoring the 85th-minute winner against Calgary. Her late-game heroics could once again prove important as Victoria looks to continue its playoff run and return to what would be a second CW final in three seasons. </span></li></ul>",
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