Game Recap

Women’s Soccer (Conference)
Saturday, September 16, 2006
TWU Spartans (1) vs. the University of Calgary Dinos (1)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPARTANS TIE FIFTH RANKED DINOS
TWU scores late goal to tie Calgary

LANGLEY, British Columbia- An Own-Goal off of a Whitney Agassiz (4th year, defender, Salmon Arm) cross in the 86th minute gave the Trinity Western University women’s soccer team a 1-1 tie with the fifth ranked University of Calgary Dinos Saturday night at TWU’s Spartan Field.

The tie keeps the Spartans undefeated at 3-0-1 and moves the Dinos to 2-1-1.

The Dinos had the better of the Spartans for much of the first half and TWU was fortunate to come out of the first 45 minutes tied at 0-0 as Calgary out-shot TWU seven to four.

“I was disappointed that in such a big game we came out so flat and tentative,” said TWU Head Coach Graham Roxburgh. “I was impressed with Calgary’s work ethic and their competitive spirit and that cost us. We really didn’t start playing until we were down a goal.”

TWU came out stronger in the second half. The pushed harder and had a higher work rate. The Spartans were rewarded for their efforts in the 54th minute they were awarded a penalty kick for a foul in the middle of box. TWU midfielder Lindsay Rohla (4th year, Langley) stepped up to take the PK. Rohla sent the ball towards the lower left hand corner of the net. But Calgary keeper Alana Knowles (Medicine Hat, Alta.) was able to dive across the net to make the save and keep the match scoreless.

In the 60th minute the Dinos got on the board. Calgary midfielder Lindsay Burrowes intercepted a square ball in the midfield. She quickly sent the ball through the Spartan defenders to her team-mate Morena Ianniello. Ianniello went in alone and slotted the ball past TWU’s Nikki Turner (1st year, Langley) and into the lower right corner of the Spartans’ net.

After the goal the Spartans started playing with more urgency.  TWU kept the pressure on Calgary, but they were unable to get the equalizer. Then in the 87th minute the Spartans got a break.

From twenty yards out side the top right side of the Dinos penalty area Spartan defender Whitney Agassiz sent a hard shot into the Calgary box. The ball curved along the Dinos crease and found the shoulder of a Calgary defender. But instead of going out of play the ball sailed into the top right corner of the net to tie the score 1-1.

Down the stretch both teams pushed for the win, but neither team was able to find the back of the net.

Next up for the Spartans is Friday, September 22 when they will host the defending CIS National Champion University of Victoria Vikes at 5 p.m. Then on Saturday the Spartans will host the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. The match time is also scheduled for 5 p.m.

Match Notes: After being out shot 7-4 in the first half the Spartans out shot the Dinos 11-2 in the second half...TWU had the edge in corner kick’s 6-3...TWU keeper Turner and Calgary keeper Knowles played the full 90 minutes...

-TW-