Box Score
Scheduled Game: @Calgary*
Game Recap
Game Recap
Men's Soccer (Canada West)
Sunday, September 23, 2007
TWU Spartans (2) at the University of Calgary Dinos (1)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SIX AND COUNTING.
-Spartans top Dinos to extend winning streak
CALGARY - The Trinity Western University men's soccer team put their perfect record and number one ranking to the test this weekend in Southern Alberta. They defeated the Lethbridge Pronghorns Saturday afternoon and today the scored late to defeat the University of Calgary Dinos 2-1 in Calgary.
The Spartans Justin Cordick (5th year, midfield, Anmore, B.C.) scored the second of his two goals on a penalty kick in the 75th minute to give the visitors from Langley, B.C. the hard fought victory.
"We played a beautiful brand of soccer in the first half; we were able to dominate as we played incredibly well. We weren't quite as intense or as sharp as we need to be in the attacking third, but it was pretty to watch," said TWU head coach Al Alderson. "The second half was a different story. Calgary really took it to us. Fortunately for us our back line did a great job of blocking the ball when we needed and if they didn't Andrew was able to come up with some outstanding saves. It wasn't the best half, but we got the job done and it is always good to come back home off the road after grinding out a couple of tough wins."
The first opportunity for the Spartans came on the first of six corner kicks in the half, when midfielder Mustafa Demirci (4th year, Ankara, Turkey) hit the feed hard off a Calgary defender just wide. Demirci continued to be active minutes later, letting loose a dangerous cross which was alertly headed away by Dinos forward Matthew Deeprose.
Calgary made some good progress midway through the first half with forward Ryan Holbrook heading multiple goal kicks from keeper J.P. Crescenzi into the Spartans zone, looking to add to his two goal performance on Saturday against Fraser Valley.
Demirci would again come close off the fifth Spartans corner kick, almost fooling the Calgary goalkeeper with a redirected header, which Crescenzi tipped over the net. Minutes later, Spartans forward Adrian Kekec (4th year, Burnaby, B.C.) took a header from midfield for a clear break towards the goal, but was foiled with an excellent tackle by Dinos defender Matthew Reid.
The Spartans best chance of the half came on a free kick just outside the penalty area, which was deflected off a Calgary defender and then rung off the post by Kekec. The close call seemed to invigorate the Spartans offense, with Demirci making a beautiful move on the next play past a Calgary defender to go in alone on Crescenzi, who came out to make a superb stop.
Trinity Western wouldn't be denied though, as they finally put the ball behind Crescenzi late in the half off their sixth corner kick. Defender Patrick Kelly (4th year, Cochrane, Alta.) hit a looping kick which was struck by a Spartan player, deflecting off midfielder Justin Cordick and in.
The Dinos came out in the second half eager for revenge however, and their efforts paid off minutes in with a throw in deep in the Spartans' zone.
The sailing ball was headed towards the net by Deeprose, falling in front of midfielder Brian Delaney who put it in off a Spartan defender to even up the score.
The home team's play improved in the second half, with smart passing allowing them to maintain possession in the Spartans' zone with greater frequency, although play continued to be very much a back and forth affair.
The Dinos' Deeprose played with intensity in the second half, getting involved in a tie up with the Spartans' Patrick Kelly in a struggle for a loose ball near the sidelines, which ended up in Kelly being subbed off temporarily.
The game continued to be a closely fought affair, but would soon turn in the Spartans favor after Cordick was taken down just inside the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick. Cordick placed a neat ball just past the outstretched arms of Crescenzi to put the Spartans up 2-1.
Calgary tried desperately in the waning minutes of the game to even the score, but were thwarted on three separate efforts from point blank range by a spectacular Andrew Fink (1st year, keeper, Burnaby, B.C.), who no doubt kept the result in favor of the Spartans with highlight reel saves late in the game.
Fink made three saves to record the win for the Spartans, while JP Crescenzi made six saves for the Dinos in the loss.
The Dinos' feelings after the game were well put forth by captain Matthew Deeprose. "It's tough to lose a game like this, especially when you play so well against the best team in the country," he said.
Coach Andy Gibbs emphasized his team's improved performance late in the game. "It was very exciting in the second half, we had a good performance hammering shots on goal," he said. "We battled toe to toe, but they came ahead in the end, and that's life."
The Spartans now return to the Lower Mainland for a home-and-home with the University College of the Fraser Valley. The will suit up at Fraser Valley's Bateman Park on Friday, Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. then return home to face the Cascades on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 7:15 p.m.
Match Notes: TWU outshot Calgary 9-0 in the first half and 13-9 overall...the Spartans also had the edge in corner kicks at 8-5...
-TW -
Contributions from Kai DeNeve, UC Sports Info