Scheduled Game: @Victoria*

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GAME RESULTS 1 2 T Trinity Western 0 1 1 « FINAL Victoria 0 0 0

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Game Recap

WOMEN’S SOCCER (CANADA WEST)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2012
TRINITY WESTERN (1) AT VICTORIA (0)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPARTANS CLINCH TOP SPOT IN CANADA WEST

VICTORIA, British Columbia  – On the backs of a penalty kick goal and a penalty kick save and some relentless defense the No. 3 Trinity Western University women’s soccer team defeated the No. 5 University of Victoria 1-0 to clinch the Canada West league title in the final match for both teams. The win moves the Spartans to 11-1-0, while the loss drops the Vikes to second place at 9-2-1.

“I’m proud of our players. Tessa Meyer probably had one of her best games as a Spartan and our back four were once again excellent as was our midfield and can’t say enough about Funk,” commented TWU head coach Graham Roxburgh. “Credit to UVIC. After we started well and possessed nicely they started to come on and were threatening. In the second half they came out with energy and we had to weather the storm.

“It was a great game. Both teams had one or two chances and there weren’t a lot for either side and I’m pleased to come away with a win in a tough place in a very entertaining game of soccer,” added Roxburgh.

All-Canadian keeper Kristen Funk made a penalty kick save in the 59th minute and Spartan midfielder Natalie Boyd converted her PK in the 72nd minute to give the Spartans the match and home field advantage through the Canada West play-offs.

The match opened up with the Spartans maintaining possession through their back five for a good portion of the play.

TWU’s best chance of the first 45 came in the 13th minute when Krista Gommeringer was taken down a meter outside the top of the Victoria box. The Spartans strike from Natalie Boyd said over the bar as the match remained scoreless.

Victoria gradually gathered momentum as the half progressed. Their best chance of the half came in the 36th minutes when Amy Lawrence sent a ball toward the top right corner of the Spartans net. TWU keeper Kristen Funk moved nicely to her left and went high with one hand to get a piece of the ball and deflect it off of the cross bar.

“Her save on in the first half was unbelievable,” commented Roxburgh on his fifth year keeper Kristen Funk.

Both teams had quality possession as the half wound down, but neither was able to find the back of the net.

The half ended with TWU outshooting Victoria six to three with each keeper making one save. TWU’s Boyd led all players with three shots.

Needing a win to earn top spot the Vikes came out with considerably more energy in the second half and immediately put the Spartans under pressure.

In the 59th minute Lindsay Hoetzel was knocked down at the top of box by the Spartan defenders and was award a shot from the penalty spot. Hoetzel took the PK and went high to the top left corner of the TWU net, where the Spartans Funk went high to make the save and gather in the rebound.

As the second half continued the Vikes put considerable pressure on the on the Spartans back line. Numerous times Victoria had possession in the TWU end and their penalty area, but through 70 minutes the match remained scoreless.

In the 72nd minute a hand ball was called against Victoria off of a long pass by Jen Castillo. Unfortunately for the Vikes the foul took place inside the penalty area and the Spartans were awarded a penalty kick.

Boyd took the shot and hit the back of the net, but goal was called back for player encroachment. On Boyd’s second attempt everyone stayed in place and Boyd once again made a clean strike to the back of the net.

The Vikes continued to pressure the Spartans as TWU defenders were required to put themselves in front of the ball to stop any shots from getting through in the penalty area.

Victoria continued to pressure thru the end of the match, but were unable to get the two goals they needed to secure the Canada West title.

Kristen Funk made two saves to earn her ninth shutout and 11th win of the season, while Victoria’s Stephanie Parker made one save in the loss.

Next up for the Spartans is the Canada West quarter final match on Friday, October 26. The match against a to-be-determined opponent will take place at Trinity Western’s Roger’s Field with kick-off scheduled for 5 p.m. PST. The Spartans will play either the University of Manitoba, 13 points, or the University of Calgary, 12 points, as each has one match remaining in the CW schedule.

Match Notes: The Spartans finished with the edge in total shots 8-7, while the Vikes had the edge in corner kicks at 4-1…this is the fourth time that the Spartans have been at the top of the table at the end of the season…

-TW-

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