Game Recap

Women’s Soccer (Canada West Play-offs)
Thursday, November 02, 2006
TWU Spartans (2) vs. the University of Calgary Dinos (1)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Spartans Move On
TWU one win away from trip to CIS Nationals

LANGLEY, British Columbia – A goal and an assist by Canada West First Team All-Star Lindsay Rohla (Langley, B.C.) lifted the Trinity Western University women’s soccer team to a 2-1 win over the University of Calgary in Thursday afternoon’s Canada West quarter final match in Regina, Sask. The win moves the Spartans into the Canada West semi-final match against the University of Victoria Vikes Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in Regina, Sask.

“It was a tricky game in cold conditions,” said TWU Head Coach Graham Roxburgh. “We’ve given ourselves a chance to match up against the best team in the country. I’m excited that we are still playing and that we now have two shots at getting to nationals.”

The two teams were fairly even for much of the first half. TWU came out a bit flat but got better as the half progressed. The Spartans had the better of the scoring chances as they out-shot Calgary 4-2 in the half. Calgary keeper Alana Knowles (Medicine Hat, Alta.) made three saves to keep the match scoreless going into the beak.

Calgary’s Katie Blundell (Calgary) opened the scoring in the 56th minute. Blundell capitalized on a rebound from Cayla Scavo’s (Calgary) shot, which rang of the TWU goal post. In the ensuing goal mouth scramble Blundell was able to get her foot on the ball and send it into the back of the net.

Forty-nine seconds later TWU’s Rohla tied the match at 1-1 off of a set piece. From about 20 yards out in the centre of the park Rohla took the free kick and bent it around the wall and into the Calgary net. “Lindsay is such a special player. Their keeper had no chance on the shot,” said Roxburgh.

After Rohla’s goal the Spartans settled down and started to take control of the play and time of possession.

“I’m excited that we were able to rally and I was pleased with our ability to stay focused and to start playing more aggressively,” said Roxburgh. “I thought that our back four did a great job of shutting Calgary down and limiting their opportunities in the second half.”

Melanie Ingwersen (Abbotsford, BC) got the game winner in the 69th minute. Ingwersen was sent in on a partial break-away on a perfect pass from Rohla. Ingwersen then went in with two defenders chasing her and chipped the ball over a charging Knowles.

TWU keeper Nikki Turner (Langley, B.C.) made one save in the first period and played the full ninety minutes to earn the win.

A win by the Spartans on Saturday will put TWU into the Canada West Gold Medal Match and give them an automatic berth into this years Canadian Interuniversity Sport National Championships in Victoria, B.C. As host school the Victoria Vikes have already secured a spot in this year’s CIS Championship.

Match Notes: TWU out shot Calgary nine to five in total shots and seven to two in shots on goal...

-TW-