Game Recap

Women’s Soccer (Conference)
Sunday, September 10, 2006
TWU Spartans (3) at the University of Regina Cougars (0)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Spartans Start Season 2-0
TWU heads for home after two solid wins on the Prairies

REGINA, Saskatchewan – The Trinity Western University women’s soccer team made it two straight to open the Canada West season Sunday afternoon in Regina, Saskatchewan. The Spartans used a relentless attack to earn the win as they defeated the University of Regina Cougars 3-0.

“I’m pleased with the way that we possessed the ball and the way that we moved the ball,” said TWU Head Coach Graham Roxburgh. “We came out strong and didn’t give them much life for the first 20 minutes. We were unlucky not to have scored more, but it’s good to get two wins on the road.”

Whitney Agassiz opened the scoring for the Spartans in the 22nd minute. Lindsay Rohla started the play off of a free kick. She sent the ball into the box where Agassiz was able to get her boot on it and slide it past Saskatchewan keeper Alyssa McLaughlin. “Lindsay did a great job for us today,” said Roxburgh. “She was solid in the middle of the park and did a good job of distributing the ball.”

In the 29th minute the Spartans almost got their second goal. At 28:59 TWU midfielder Andrea McLachlan hit the post. Nine seconds later TWU forward Carlee O’Brien hit another post. Then seven seconds later McLachlan had a second attempt, but the Cougars McLaughlin was able to make the stop.

Dana DuMerton made it 2-0 with a goal in the 41st minute to give the Spartans a two goal margin at the half. DuMerton was sent into the open by teammate Hillary Braacx. Braacx took the ball in the midfield with her back to the net, held off her defender, then turned and played a pretty through ball to a streaking DuMerton. DuMerton took the pass and one timed it into the back of the Cougars net. “Hillary made a huge difference for us as a target and as the withdrawn striker,” said Roxburgh.

The Spartans started the second half by applying lots of pressure on the Cougars. TWU was rewarded for their efforts in the 52nd minute when Braacx got one for herself. Katie Smart took the Spartans corner and sent the ball into the box where two players went for the ball. The ball came to Braacx who scooped it over her shoulder into the top of the net from about eight yards out.

The Cougars McLaughlin was solid in the loss as she kept her team in the match. She made three or four great stops and finished the match with nine saves. TWU’s Nikki Turner made one save to earn the shutout as only four shots were directed towards Spartans net.

Next up for the Spartans is the University of Lethbridge on Friday, September 15. Match time at TWU is set for 5 p.m. They follow it up with a match against the University of Calgary on Saturday, September 16. Match time at TWU is also set for 5 p.m.

Match Notes: TWU had a 23-4 edge in shots and 9-3 in corner kicks...the Spartans finished with 12 shots on target, while the Cougars finished with one...

-TW-