Game Recap

Women’s Soccer (Conference)
Saturday, September 09, 2006
TWU Spartans (4) at the University of Manitoba Bisons (1)

For Immediate Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Spartans Kick-off League with Win
O’Brien’s notches two to pace TWU to 4-1 win over Manitoba

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – Forward Carlee O’Brien hit the ground running in Trinity Western University’s 4-1 win over the University of Manitoba Bisons to open Canada West conference play Saturday afternoon in Winnipeg, Man. The fourth year Naniamo, B.C. native found the back of the net twice, in the 23rd, 57th minute, to pace the Spartans in the road victory. The win improves the Spartans to 1-0-0, while the loss drops the Bisons to 0-1-0 in Canada West conference play.

“We weathered the storm early and were lucky not to be down. It’s good to come a way with a win as they are a dangerous team with dangerous players,” said TWU Head Coach Graham Roxburgh. “I’m very pleased with the result. We had great performances from a lot of players and Carlee played fantastic today.”

Manitoba dominated the first minutes of the game, sending Trinity Western onto their heels and into defensive mode. The Spartans back line and keeper veronica Rogina weathered the storm until the team could get settled.
 
Caley Miskimmin and Desiree Scott led the Bison offence to a goal-less hammering of Trinity goalie Veronika Rogina until O’Brien found her way past Bison keeper Chera Kirkpatrick with just over 22 minutes gone in the half.

Midfielder Andrea McLachlan widened the gap to 2-0 in the 32nd minute, when she surprised Kirkpatrick on an undefended breakaway.

Miskimmin responded to cut Trinity Western’s lead in half just three minutes later on a pass from Scott, but momentum faded as the Spartans held on to the one-goal lead through to the second.
 
Trinity Western came out dominating in the second half and O’Brien took a huge kick top corner to make it 3-1 with 11 minutes gone. The push continued as TWU controlled the Manitoba defense, though Miskimmin and Scott managed to find the crease a few more times prior to the final whistle.

TWU keeper Rogina had to leave the match in the 66th minute when the Bisons sent a hard kick and rush of bodies into Rogina, who came out of the scuffle with a bloody nose from a collision with Bisons Dana Baker’s head in her face. Both left the game with Rogina suffering a broken noise.

Hilary Braacx finished the scoring with 12 minutes remaining in regulation. Braacx took a feed from O’Brien and hammered it into the back of the Bisons net to make the final 4-1.

The Spartans will continue the mini road trip with an afternoon match tomorrow at the University of Regina.

Match Notes: Veronika Rogina and Nikki Turner combined to make eight saves for the Spartans, while Kirkpatrick played the full 90 and made seven saves for the Bisons... Manitoba outshot the Spartans 25-16...The win avenges a 3-2 loss that the Spartans experienced last season on their first trip to Winnipeg...

-TW-