Scheduled Game: @Victoria*

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GAME RESULTS 1 2 T Trinity Western 2 1 3 « FINAL Victoria 0 0 0

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Game Recap

MEN’S SOCCER (CANADA WEST)
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2009
TWU SPARTANS (3) AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA VIKES (0)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPARTANS ON THE ROAD TOP NO. 2 VIKES

VICTORIA – A day after the No.2 University of Victoria had their ten game home unbeaten streak snapped  by UBC the No. 3 Trinity Western University Spartans gave the Vikes a two game home losing streak after blanking the home team 3-0 Sunday afternoon in Victoria.  The win keeps the Spartans unbeaten at 4-0-2 and in first place in Canada West, while the loss drops the Vikes to 3-2-1 and fourth place in Canada West.

“We came into a place that is difficult to play in and got a result against a very good UVIC team. It was back and forth for much of the game, chances were even, but we fared better when we took them. And our last goal was a good statement on the day,” commented TWU head coach Pat Rohla. “Well pleased with effort, a great weekend overall to get the six points under difficult circumstances.”

TWU keeper Andrew Kowan (Richmond, B.C.) was solid in earning the shut-out win for the Spartans. Kowan made 11 saves to outduel the Vikes Dan Kilpatrick who made nine saves in the loss.

The last time the Spartans were in Victoria they fell to the Vikes 4-1 in the Canada West final. But this afternoon’s match was a completely different outcome for TWU. The Spartans jumped out early against the Vikes as forward David Rowse (St. Albert, Alta.) opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Rowse ran on to a ball that got past the Vikes defender made a nice move to get open and then slotted the ball from about 14 yards out to give TWU the early 1-0 lead.

The Spartans Ioannis Tsoulouhas (Bellingham, Wash.) got his first goal of the season 25 minutes later. Tsoulouhas turned the Vikes right back inside out and then from a very sharp angle roofed a shot, which Victoria’s Kilpatrick had no chance on to put TWU up 2-0 in the 36th minute.

Trailing 2-0 at the half the Vikes sent everything at the Spartans back line. But Trinity Western withheld the onslaught, as Victoria outshot the Spartans 13-5 in the half. “We really took advantage of our chances and worked very hard to limit their opportunities,” commented Rohla. They came at us hard in the second half, but we weathered the storm.”

Then in the 78th minute Spartan forward Shawn Parkes (Delta, B.C.) gave Trinity Western some breathing room on a counter attack. Parkes got open space from the Vikes defenders and hit a laser into the back of the Victoria net to give the Spartans a three goal lead.

“We had good performances by everybody as we were all working towards a common cause. We are building and the league is extremely tight so by no means do we think that this is over. We still have a lot of work to do to make this team ready for nationals, but we are seeing good signs from everyone. Everyone is competing and they are making it difficult to pick starters on this team and people are all chipping in at the right time,” added Rohla.

The Vikes Cole McFarlane, with eight shots, Sam Wingham, with six shots, were constant threats as they combined for 14 shots – but were unable to get anything on the scoreboard.

The Spartans will now return home to put their unbeaten streak on the line against the 4-2-0 University of British Columbia on Friday night. Game time at TWU is set for 7 p.m. The Vikes will look to rebound from the weekend series losses when they host the Alberta Golden Bears and Saskatchewan Huskies next week.

Match Notes: A total of 32 fouls were called, four yellows were issued and Trinity Western head coach Pat Rohla was ejected after questioning a call by the official…Victoria outshot TWU 22-17 and had a 9-4 edge in corner kicks… TWU is 6-10-3 lifetime against Victoria…the Spartans last win in Victoria was 5-3 on Sept. 15, 2007…

-TW-

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