Jasmin Dhanda’s historic university soccer career ended on a major high this week.
After completing her fifth and final season with the UBC Thunderbirds women’s soccer team, Dhanda received national honours after a stellar season with UBC.
Dhanda received the ‘Chantal Navert Memorial Award’ for Canadian U Sports Player of the Year. This was her first time winning the award after a stellar season for the Thunderbirds.
“It was kind of surprised, but it this was a great way to end my season,” said Dhanda.
In just 15 games, Dhanda posted 14 goals and 20 points. Both totals were best among all women’s university soccer players in the country.
Her 20 points were third overall for most point by a player in any season for U Sports women’s soccer.
WSOCSZN: @ubcwsoc @JasminDhanda & @ashergill13 both finish in Top 5 of @CanadaWest record books for points in a season pic.twitter.com/cNPkMW8X3D
— Paul Cartledge (@StatGuyPaul) October 22, 2017
Dhanda earned her points, finishing second in the country with 37 shots on goal. She also tied for the national lead with six game-winning goals.
Her stellar season helped UBC finish with a 9-2-3 record on the season. They finished third in the Canada West final four after defeating the MacEwen University Griffiths 2-1 on Saturday, Nov. 4th.
Dhanda ended up with 65 total points during her career as a Thunderbird, which set a new Canada West record for career points.
That total eclipsed former Thunderbird Janine Frazao’s 63 points.
“It’s been a great five years. There’s been a lot of ups and downs, but over the years we’ve grown so much as a team.”
Throughout her five years at UBC, Dhanda has gone through five different head coaches. They did end up winning nationals in 2015, which was one of the highlights of her career.
Her head coach this year had some praise for her as well.
.@ubcwsoc get #Thunderstruck on @JasminDhanda's historic night. #GoBirdsGo
— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) October 21, 2017
Recap: https://t.co/R76l7JjHUn pic.twitter.com/Vjrl0F6iq7
“Jasmin showed a tremendous approach to each game this season,” said Thunderbirds women’s soccer head coach Jesse Symons to U Sports after Dhanda won the award.
“She took her game to another level and improved in every area, which is a great testament to her attitude towards competing for UBC and wanting to get team success.”
The honour of receiving the ‘Chantal Navert Memorial Award’ ends an illustrious career for Dhanda, one that she will reflect on fondly.
“One of the things I’ll remember the most is all of the friendships that I’ve made” she said. You don’t remember every game, but you remember the trips you went on with your teammates. There were a lot of good ones over the last five years.”
The kinesiology student is in her final year of at UBC as she looks to graduate in December.
trevor.beggs@surreynowleader.com
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