Oct 13 Offense + Defense = Win

Women's Soccer (conference)
Thursday, October 13, 2005
TWU Spartans (5) vs. the University of Manitoba Bisons (1)

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Offense + Defense = Win
TWU forward Carlee O’Brien's three goals lead TWU to 5-1 victory over Manitoba

LANGLEY, British Columbia - Carlee O'Brien and the Spartan defenders led TWU to a much needed 5-1 win over the University of Manitoba Bisons Thursday night at TWU. The win moves the Spartans to 4-4-2 and to a tie with the Bisons at 4-5-2.

"I'm really pleased with how we played in what could have been a very tricky game. Our back four were fantastic, and we got some great finishes from Carlee," said TWU Head Coach Graham Roxburgh. "Now we just have to take care of what we can control as we move forward."

TWU forward Carlee O'Brien (3rd yr, Nanaimo, BC) opened the scoring in the seventh minute. O'Brien's goal was a solo effort as she picked the ball off of a Bison defender, and beat another back line player before volleying the ball over top of Manitoba's Christine Majury (Winnipeg, MB) and into the left side of the net.

A few minutes later it looked like forward Ashlee Davison (5th yr, Maple Ridge, BC) had given the Spartans a 2-0 lead. Davison was sent up the middle on a through ball and went in alone on the Manitoba goal. She placed the ball squarely past a charging Majury and hard off the left post, where a Bison defender was able to recover and clear the ball out of danger.

On the ensuing counterattack Manitoba's Desiree Scott (Winnipeg, MB) beat TWU keeper Ali Penner (1st yr, Abbotsford, BC) on a race to the ball on the left side of the penalty area. Scott then turned and played the ball back to striker Karlie Colpitts (Winnipeg, MB) who was waiting at the top of the box. Colpitts cleanly placed the ball over a retreating Penner to tie the match at 1-1 just 18 minutes into the half.

TWU rookie forward Christine Gerig (Langley, BC) got the lead back for the Spartans in the 27th minute. TWU's Alexis Heinz (5th yr, forward, Surrey, BC) picked up an errant Manitoba pass just on the offensive side of centre. Heinz played the ball to an open Gerig, who was moving up the right hand side of the park. Gerig hit a perfectly placed volley high over Manitoba's Marjury to give TWU a 2-1 lead.

Trailing 2-1 at the start of the second period Manitoba came out strong to start the half.

The Spartans held and in the 61st minute TWU forward Alexis Heinz made it 3-1 for the home team. Heinz scored when she picked up a rebound from a Dana DuMerton (1st yr, forward, Abbotsford, BC) shot and rifled the ball into the left side of the Bisons net.

Six minutes later Carlee O'Brien got her second of the night to make it 4-1 for TWU. Ashlee Davison set the goal up on a determined effort. Davison volleyed the ball toward the Bisons' net, which was cleared to the left side of the box. Davison kept working and out-hustled the Manitoba defenders for the ball. She then turned and made a second volley over the Manitoba defenders to a charging O’Brien, who headed the ball into the top right corner of the net.

O'Brien got the hat trick in the final minute of play. The speedy forward picked up a clearing attempt from Manitoba and fired the ball back and into the top of the Manitoba net to make the final 5-1 for the Spartans.

Next up for the Spartans is the University of Regina. Match time on Saturday, October 15 is set for 1 pm at TWU's Spartan Field Complex.

Match Notes: TWU outshot Manitoba 18-8...Manitoba keeper Majury made ten saves in the loss, while TWU's Ali Penner made five saves to earn the win...the Spartans' back line was notable in their ability to shut down the potent Manitoba attack...the Bisons' offense leads Canada West with 26 goals, coming into tonight's match the Spartans had 19 goals...

-TW-

Last Updated: 2009-09-03
Author: Scott Stewart
Email: ssstew@twu.ca