VIDEO: MEN’S SOCCER HOSTS BRITISH COLUMBIA

MEN’S SOCCER (CANADA WEST)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEN’S SOCCER HOSTS BRITISH COLUMBIA

LANGLEY, British Columbia – The Spartans men's soccer team returns to the pitch Friday night looking for a little redemption on a pair of fronts. Not only did TWU lose 4-0 in its most recent game Saturday against Alberta – the worst home loss in TWU men’s soccer history – but they also will be hoping to respond to a 3-0 loss suffered against the cross-town Thunderbirds in their 2010 season opener. Kickoff is a 7:00 p.m. at Rogers Park.
 
Watch the games live HERE and follow the live stats HERE.



SPARTANS (3-2-2)
CIS Ranking: N/A
Canada West Standing: 4th (tied)
Last Week: Saskatchewan 3-0 W, Alberta 4-0 L
Streak: 1 Loss
2009 conference record: 8-2-4 (2nd)
2009 CW Championship: 0-2 (4th)
2009 CIS Championship: 2-1 (3rd)
Last CW title: 2007
Last CIS title: N/A
TWU Lifetime vs British Columbia: 9-9-5

On Friday night, the Spartans will be looking to forget what happened last time they were on the pitch and start anew against their rivals from the big city.

Trinity Western lost 4-0 to Alberta last Saturday in what was the worst home loss in TWU men’s soccer history and Friday’s game won’t get any easier as they get set to take on a tough UBC squad.

Although the Spartans did beat Saskatchewan 3-0 on Friday, the positives from that game were hardly the focus this week in practice as the team prepared for UBC.

Offensively, this past weekend proved one thing. The Spartans are a little inconsistent. On Friday, Danfi Parker had three goals to lead the way and on Saturday, TWU couldn’t buy a goal.

Through seven games, TWU has averaged 1.29 goals per game (5th in CW) and 14.57 shots per game (5th in CW). After Parker’s performance on Friday, the Woodbridge, VA product now leads the Spartans in scoring with four goals (6th in CW) and leads CW in shots per game with 3.57.

Defensively, TWU’s statistics took a bit of a hit in Saturday’s four-goal game as the team goals against average fell to 1.14 (4th in CW).

Keeper Andrew Fink has played six straight games since taking over from Andrew Kowan after the latter lost to UBC in the Spartans season opener. Despite the four-goal barrage that was Saturday night, Fink is still third in CW in both goals against average (0.83) and save percentage (.833), while making 4.17 saves per game (6th in CW). He also has four shutouts this year, which leaves him tied for the second most in CW.

THUNDERBIRDS (5-2-0)
CIS Ranking:6th
Canada West Standing: 3rd
Last Week: Alberta 2-1 L, Saskatchewan 4-2 W
Streak: 1 Win
2009 CW Record: 10-3-1, 1st
2009 CW Tournament: 3rd
2009 CIS Tournament: N/A
Last CW Title: 2001
Last CIS Title: 2007
British Columbia Lifetime vs TWU: 9-9-5

Like the Spartans, last weekend was a bit of a bull ride for the Thunderbirds. The positive was that they beat Saskatchewan (4-2). The negative was that they too lost to Alberta (2-1).

But last weekend’s goal parade was starkly different than what the Thunderbirds have been used to. For UBC, this year’s strength has been solid defence and timely scoring.

Led by goalkeeper Zach Kalthoff – who has played every minute so far this year – and a solid back line, the Thunderbirds lead Canada West in goals against, having only allowed five goals all year and, in doing so, Kalthoff has recorded four shutouts, has an .844 save percentage (2nd in CW) and has only been forced to make 3.86 saves per game (tied with TWU for lowest in CW).

Before last weekend’s games, the defence had only surrendered one goal in five games and that solid back line has largley been led by defenders Jason Gill, Graeme Webber, Matthew Allard and Tyson Keam.

Offensively, UBC has also been a formidable force as they are scoring on a pace of 2.00 goals per game (3rd in CW) and lead the conference with 17.71 shots per game. And they have accomplished this with the most balanced attack in the conference.

So far this year, UBC has 10 different goal scorers and none of which have scored more than two goals. Gagandeep Dosanjh, Marco Visintin, Gregory Smith and Ashley Ankiewicz all have two goals apiece but, after that, it’s a sextet of players with single tallies.

Dosanjh, who has started every game this year, leads the team in shots with 21 while Will Hyde and Joey Loreth are tied for the team lead with two assists each.

-TW-

Last Updated: 2010-10-06
Author: Mark Janzen