Oct 23 Spartans Tie Huskies

Women’s Soccer (conference)
Sunday, October 23, 2005
TWU Spartans (1) at the University of Saskatchewan Huskies (1)

For Immediate Release

Spartans Tie Huskies
Postseason hopes alive after 1-1 draw in windblown match

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – In a game that was affected heavily by the wind, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and the Trinity Western University Spartans battled it out to a 1-1 draw.

“The wind made it tricky to play and we failed to execute, but to their credit Saskatchewan played well,” said TWU head coach Graham Roxburgh. “I’m disappointed that we did not get more but at the same time we played well and played hard. We now just have to take care of business the rest of the way.”

With the wind at their backs, the Huskies took the lead at the 18th minute. Rookie Kristy Husulak (Saskatoon, SK) hit a dead ball from 25 yards out that crashed the back of the Spartan net just under the cross bar. The Huskies took 12 shots in the first half, while the Spartans battled against the wind and managed only two shots.

The Spartans used the wind to their advantage in the second half. After a scramble in Huskie territory, Spartan defender Brittany Heinrich (3rd yr, Maple Ridge, BC) headed the ball to the Huskie net. The shot was cleared off of the line, but Heinrich was there to make another header and put it in the back of the Dogs net. At the 58th minute, the game was tied at one apiece. The Spartans took eight shots in the second half, compared to the Huskies three. 

“We were the more dangerous team in the second half,” said Roxburgh. “We pressed hard to end the match, but we could not get another goal.”

Between the posts for the Spartans was rookie Ali Penner (Abbotsford, BC), while Becky Baker (Saskatoon, SK) played her final home league game as keeper for the Huskies. 

The tie gives TWU a 6-4-3 record, while Saskatchewan now sits at 4-7-4. TWU now heads to Regina to play the Cougars on Tues, Oct. 25. The Huskies have the week to rest and will play their last league game on Oct. 29, at Manitoba.

The Spartans are still battling with Alberta and Lethbridge for the final play off spot. TWU’s magic number for the post season now sits at two. Any combination of TWU win’s and a loss by Lethbridge or Alberta means that TWU is in the playoffs. Alberta has 20 points with two games remaining; Regina and Manitoba. Lethbridge has 17 points with three games remaining; TWU, UBC and Victoria.

If the Spartans can beat 0-14 Regina on Tuesday and then follow up with a win against Lethbridge on Thurs. or Calgary on Sat. the defending CIS national champions will return to the post season.

After the Calgary match, TWU will be honouring fifth year players Angela Trauter (Langley, BC) and Alexis Heinz (Surrey, BC).   

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