Scheduled Game: GONZAGA UNIVERSITY

Game Recap

Men's Soccer (Spring League)
Saturday, April 12, 2008
TWU Spartans (0) vs. the Gonzaga University Bulldogs (0)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPARTANS AND BULLDOGS PLAY TO DRAW

LANGLEY, British Columbia - It was a perfect day for soccer as the Trinity Western University men's team hosted NCAA Div. I Gonzaga University Saturday afternoon at TWU's Langley, B.C. campus. The two teams struggled in the unseasonably warm conditions and settled for a 0-0 draw under sunny 20 plus degree temperatures (70F).

"In a game where you run as much as you do in soccer the change in the climate is really difficult to adjust to. You have to be in great shape to be able to handle it," commented TWU Head Coach Al Alderson. "And with the number of guys who are just getting back from injury we just aren't in good enough shape to play in 22 degree weather. So it meant that the soccer was a little ugly. But with us not playing our best it was still nice to get a draw with a top program like Gonzaga."

Gonzaga had a quality opportunity off of a free kick midway through the first half, but TWU keeper Andrew Fink (Burnaby, B.C.) made a diving save to keep the match scoreless.

In the 58th minute TWU forward Nathan Pogue (Seaside, Ore.) went in alone after getting by the left back. Pogue took a hard shot from a difficult angle that sailed just wide of the left post.

In the 64th minute Gonzaga's Sean Conner (Mount Vernon, Wash.) took a hard shot from the left side but TWU keeper Andrew Kowan (Richmond, B.C.) was able to get a piece of it and the ball sailed past the right post.

The Bulldogs had the edge in shots on goal at 4-2, with both teams having three corner kicks.

Today's match was the final home match for the Spartans this season. TWU's final match of the 2008 spring season will be at Oregon State on April 26, 08. Match time in Corvallis, Ore. is set for 7:30 p.m.

Match Notes: Today's game temperature was nearly 20 degrees (35 F) hotter then when the Spartans hosted the Vancouver Whitecaps on April 2.

-TW-

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