Game Recap

Women’s Soccer (pre-season)
Thursday, August 17, 2006
TWU Spartans (1) at Portland State University Vikings (1)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TWU Opens 2006 Pre-Season with Draw
Rhola scores tying goal in 70th minute

PORTLAND, Oregon – The Trinity Western University women’s soccer team opened the 2006 pre-season with a 1-1 draw against NCAA Division I Portland State University Thursday night in Portland, Oregon.

TWU head coach Graham Roxburgh was pleased with the result. “After a bit of a slow start we were able to settle down. In the second half we were more poised. We were able to posses a bit more, which allowed us to create more chances. We could have had a few more goals but overall it was another step forward for a youthful team.”

The Vikings opened the scoring in the 35th minute and held a 1-0 lead at the half.

Portland had a chance to go up 2-0 midway through the second half but TWU keeper Nikki Turner (1st yr, Langley, B.C.) was up to the task. Turner made a fabulous save on a Portland breakaway and when the Vikings attacker got the rebound Turner once again turned her away.

TWU got the equalizer in the 70th minute. The goal came after good hustle by Kelli Anne McCabe (1st yr, forward/midfield, Tswassen, B.C.) and Dana DuMerton (2nd yr, forward, Abbotsford, B.C.) caused Portland to turn the ball over deep in there end of the field. The Spartans Lindsay Rohla (4th yr, midfield, Langley, B.C.) found the loose ball and looped a shot up and over the Vikings keeper from about 15 yards out.

The Spartans had quality chances in the second half, including two breakaways by forward Carlee O’Brien (4th yr, forward, Nanaimo, B.C.). But TWU was unable to get the go ahead goal.

Next up for the Spartans is at Oregon State University on Saturday, August 19. Match time against the NCAA Division I Beavers is set for 7:00 pm.

Match Notes: The Big Sky Conference released its preseason soccer poll Thursday. Portland State was picked to finish sixth in the eight-team league in a vote of the league’s head coaches. Northern Arizona was tabbed as the preseason favorite...

-TW-