Game Recap

Men’s Soccer (Canada West)
Friday, September 07, 2007
TWU Spartan (2) vs. the University of Saskatchewan Huskies (0)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

POGUE NOTCHES TWO TO LEAD TWU TO TRIUMPH
-Keeper Andrew Fink stops eight to record shut-out win.

LANGLEY, British Columbia – Forward Nathan Pogue (3rd year, Seaside, Ore.) led Trinity Western University’s offense in Friday night’s victory over the visiting University of Saskatchewan. Pogue’s two goals were all the #2 ranked Spartans needed as the two time defending Canada West champions topped the Huskies 2-0 to open Canada West conference play.

“Nathan has the ability to find the right channels to make his runs. So if our players can pick him out he has the talent to finish his chances. So when he gets those chances you know something really good is going to happen. Either the keeper is going to come up with an outstanding save or he is going to put the ball in the back of the net. Today he hammered both his shots into the back of the net,” said TWU head coach Al Alderson.

TWU keeper Andrew Fink took care of the defensive duties for the Spartans. The Burnaby, B.C. rookie stopped eight shots to record the shut-out and earn his first CIS victory.

“I was ecstatic with the way Andrew played. Saskatchewan had some very good chance, but the nice thing was that when they did get their chances Andrew was perfectly placed to come up with some huge saves. Which is what you need your keeper to do so we were very happy with that,” said Alderson. “It also helps that when your keeper comes up with those saves it gives you a lot of positive energy and allows you to be more aggressive and push forward.”

Pogue opened the scoring in the 39th minute. Team-mate Justin Farenik (Calgary) hit Pogue in full stride as he crossed centre and broke through the Huskies’ defenders. Pogue went in alone down the left side and sent a shot to the far post which just went past the outstretched hands of Saskatchewan keeper Evan Campbell (1st year, Regina).

Pogue’s second goal happened quickly and came just as the half was winding down. In a mirror image of his first goal, Pogue was sent in alone down the right side on a pinpoint pass from TWU midfielder Patrick Kelly (Cochrane, Alta.). Pogue went in alone, touched the ball past a charging Campbell and sent a rocket into the centre of the Huskies net to give TWU a 2-0 lead at the half.

The Huskies had a number of quality chances in the second half, but Fink made five quality stops to keep the visitors of the scoresheet. Saskatchewan’s Keegan Thomas (Saskatoon) led the Huskies with four shots - three on net.

Next up for the Spartans is hosting the #1 ranked and defending CIS national champion Alberta Golden Bears. The last time the two teams met was in the championship match when Alberta defeated TWU 1-0 in Alberta. Match time at TWU is set for 7:15 p.m.

Saskatchewan’s Campbell made four saves on six shots in the loss. The Huskies will now travel to Abbotsford, B.C. to face the University College of the Fraser Valley.

Match Notes: TWU had the edge in total shots 17-11....the Huskies had the edge in shots on goal at eight to six...The Spartans held a special ceremony prior to tonight’s match to honour the memory of former Spartan Ben Adam who passed away suddenly Wednesday afternoon....Ben’s funeral will be held on Friday, Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. at The King’s Centre in Langley, B.C. The Centre is located at 21783 – 76B Ave in Langley...Keyano College, where Ben was working, will be holding a memorial on Monday at 4 p.m....

-TW-