Scheduled Game: ALBERTA*

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GAME RESULTS 1 2 T Alberta Golden Bears 0 0 0 TWU Spartans 1 1 2 « FINAL

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Game Recap

Men's Soccer (Conference)
Thursday, October 24, 2002
TWU Spartans (2) vs. the University of Alberta Golden Bears (0)

Spartans Bag Golden Bear

Langley, British Columbia - In a do-or-die situation, the Spartans were ready to "go hunting" tonight. They took the game to the visiting #1 team in the nation, the University of Alberta Golden Bears, and ruined the Bears' almost perfect season with a 2-0 win. Shots on goal were almost even for both teams, but it's what goes in the back of the net that counts, and TWU converted two of their chances into two beautiful goals while Alberta could not get the ball past the Trinity Western goal line.

The U of A Golden Bears were previously unbeaten and had given up only one goal in their nine regular season games. In less than 90 minutes, the Spartans handed them their first loss and tripled their "goals against" statistics.

It was evident in the opening minutes that the Spartan men were serious about winning this game. Knowing their season was on the line was motivation enough to go hard after every ball and finish every tackle.

TWU's Mark Peters (2nd yr, Forward, Chilliwack, BC) put his team on the scoreboard first, scoring in the 16th minute off a cross from Mike Gahan (5th yr, Forward, Langley, BC). Gahan shook off several defenders, crossing a great ball to a waiting Peters who headed it past the Alberta keeper, Justin Kozjak.

The Bears had their chances in the first half but just could not seem to find the target. Of course, TWU's aggressive defense and some solid goalkeeping by Jacob Hanson (2nd yr, Powell River, BC) helped alter their shots. The Spartan back line did not allow any quality scoring chances tonight-a significant achievement not only because the Bears are the #1 team in the country, but also because this is a team averaging 2.4 goals per game. Trinity Western's defense also stifled one of the top scorers in Canada West, Eric Pinnell, who had ten goals going into this match.

The Spartans dominated the second half, repeatedly taking advantage of Alberta's miscues and turning them into breakaways or organized offensive attacks. TWU's speedy forwards were relentless against the Golden Bears' defense whether they were attacking or putting pressure on their players to get rid of the ball.

TWU's second goal was very similar to their first. In the 71st minute Brian Scrivens (3rd yr, Forward, Langley, BC) notched another assist with his cross into the box to a leaping Mark Heinhuis (2nd yr, Midfielder, Langley, BC). Heinhuis made no mistake, heading a picture perfect shot backwards into the far left corner of the wide open net. After playing an almost nerve-racking 55 minutes maintaining their one goal lead, Heinhuis's goal was the insurance, as well as assurance, the Spartans needed. The Spartan faithful and the men's bench let out a roar after goal number two, sensing a huge upset in the works.

Head Coach Al Alderson was understandably pleased with the final results, commenting, "We played awesome tonight. Every player showed up and we were strong in every position. This was an almost frustrating game for us though, because we've played this well before and have not had the results. It's nice to be rewarded for our efforts."

The men host the University of Saskatchewan on Saturday, October 26 at 6:00pm in their final home and league game of the season. Come support your Spartans as they fight for a playoff spot!

Game Notes: Canada West's second-leading scorer, Alberta's Eric Pinnell, was held to only one shot tonight...the Spartan men welcomed back their captain, Paul Ballard, who just returned from a stint in Costa Rica with the Canadian U-20 National Team...

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