Scheduled Game: @Gonzaga

2

GAME RESULTS 1 2 T TRINITY WESTERN 1 1 2 « FINAL GONZAGA BULLDOGS 1 0 1

1

Game Recap

MEN’S SOCCER (2012 PRESEASON)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2012
TRINITY WESTERN (2) AT GONZAGA (1)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPARTANS KNOCKOFF DIVISON I BULLDOGS

SPOKANE, Washington – The Trinity Western University men’s soccer team opened the 2012 pre-season with a bang as they knocked off NCAA Div. I Gonzaga University 2-1 Saturday afternoon in Spokane, Wash. The win marks the first time that the Spartans have beaten the Division I Bulldogs.

“Solid start to the season and a positive vibe right now with the team after a good result today capped with two excellent goals. We had good play all around and strong performances by the entire backline,” commented TWU head coach Pat Rohla. “Our midfield was very compact and kept Gonzaga off balance for much of the match. In the second half we changed our formation which produced some excellent attacking play. We missed four excellent opportunities in the second half which really spoke to our solid play.”

The Spartans got goals from Jarvis Ambaka and Spencer Schmidt and fine defensive play and goaltending from Evan Lowther to earn the season opening victory.

Ambaka opened the scoring in the 10th minute of play to put TWU up 1-0. Ambaka was sent open down the right wing on a flick from Cam Parkes, where he slotted it inside the near post. “Jarvis was a thorn in the side of their backline all match,” commented Rohla.

The Bulldogs lone goal came less than five minutes later when Gonzaga took advantage of a TWU miscue on a corner kick to tie the match at 1-1 in the 15th minute. Alec Cutter found the open spot in the box and headed the Lars Ludwigs corner kick off of the cross bar and into the TWU net

Out of the break the Spartans had the majority of the play in the Bulldogs end of the park as they outshot Gonzaga 10 to two in the final frame. The game winning marker came in t he 58th minute on a shot from Schmidt. Schmidt took a thru ball from Jordan Whitehead went up the right side of the park, split the Bulldog defenders before hitting the ball into the far corner of the Gonzaga net. . “Spencer scored a snipers goal hitting a superb far post strike from a good tackle and pass by Jordan whitehead,” said Rohla.

TWU keeper Evan Lowther made four saves to earn the victory, while Gonzaga’s Ryan Caballero and Keane Ellis combined for four saves in the loss.

The Spartans will now head to Lacey, Wash. to take on the Saint Martens University Saints Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m.

TWU opens Canada West conference play on Friday, September 7 when they will host the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns. Game time at Rogers Field is at 7 p.m.

Match Notes: TWU outshot Gonzaga 12 to nine in total shots, but he Bulldogs had the edge in shots on target at six to five…the match was played under very hot conditions, with temperatures going over 38 C…both teams took water breaks mid-way between both halves.

-TW-

Play-by-Play

Photo Gallery