Game Recap

Women’s Soccer (CIS National Tournament)
Thursday, November 8, 2006
TWU (0) York (1) OT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TWU TAKEN OUT OF MEDAL-CONTENTION BY YORK
Strong-defending Lions play solid match to upset Canada West Champs

VICTORIA, British Columbia –   The TWU Spartans (Canada West #1) rallied together seeking a way to keep their CIS title hopes alive in overtime against the York Lions (OUA#3). After holding off and defending an aggressive attack, the Lions were excited when the final whistle blew, and for good reason.  It signified the finality of their upset over the Canada West Champions 1-0 in overtime Thursday afternoon at CIS Nationals in Victoria.

“It’s a very disappointing loss and in many ways an upset, but all credit to York.  I thought they defended us extremely well.  They made it very hard for us to create quality chances,” commented TWU Head Coach Graham Roxburgh.

The Spartans threw everything they had at the Lions back line, but keeper Aurelea Gumiela (Oshawa, O.N.) was impressive all game, handling nine shots on goal. York defender, Alicia Brown (Brampton, O.N.), locked down TWU’s best weapon, Carlee O’Brien (4th year, Nanaimo, B.C.), especially in the second half. O’Brien managed to get some opportunities in the opening 45 minutes as part of a six-to-nothing shots on goal effort by the Spartans in the half, but the match stayed scoreless.

“I thought we had the better of the play in the first half.  The second half got a little tricky because, at 0-0, they have more life and have a sense of the game turning in their favor,” said Roxburgh.
 
The lone goal came suddenly off some bounces in front of the Spartans’ net five minutes into the first extra period.  Jennifer Cisternino (Woodbridge, O.N.) was the beneficiary of a momentarily disconcerted TWU defense and scored what turned out to be the game-winner for the Lions.  The assist was credited to Cindy Papadopoulus (Markham, O.N.).  The Lions had moved an extra attacker up-front in the second half, readying themselves for an opportunity, proving to be a good decision because their defense and goalkeeping got the job done in the back.

The Lions showed all season long that they have an incredible strong-hold when it comes to defending the net, allowing only five goals against in 14 games.  In the second half, they managed to interrupt Spartan control in the attacking third, limiting good scoring chances.

From the out-set though, it appeared the Spartans would score first.  Six minutes in, Spartan forward Carlee O’Brien connected on a volley in the box, but York goalkeeper, Gomiela, pushed the ball over the bar to make the save.  A second chance for O’Brien came in the 25th minute when she sent a shot just left of the net.  Melanie Ingwersen (2nd year, Abbotsford, B.C.) also had an opportunity 33 minutes into the first, but could not find the back of the net.

Tension built as regulation ended and it was still scoreless.  Each team had a chance to win the match.   Brittany Heinrich (4th year, Kelowna, B.C.) got back to block a shot by Cindy Papadopoulus on the break.  And TWU had the last chance before overtime when Rebecca Ferguson (1st year, Calgary, A.B.) cut with the ball to the middle from the right side, but couldn’t get a shot on net.

Down 1-0 in overtime, TWU had a few rushes in them to stay alive in the running for gold at Nationals.  Lindsey Rohla (4th year, Langley, B.C.) took two free kicks that presented good opportunities, but Gomiela was there again.  A strike from 40 yards out by TWU substitute Christine Walker (1st year, White Rock, B.C.) with under four minutes to go in the second half of overtime really tested Gomiela, but the York keeper pushed it over the cross-bar, securing the shut-out.

In closing comments about the match that eliminated them from a chance at a medal this year, Head Coach Graham Roxburgh said a little about the season: “Obviously, we’ve had a fantastic season.  We finished with a great run last weekend, and we expected and probably thought we deserved more, but soccer is a funny game, and in the end a bounce went their way and they scored and we didn’t.  It is a very frustrating experience.  We are a very good team.  We had great performances this year – Stephanie Stewart had a fantastic year, and in the end, I’m disappointed for the girls who have worked so hard and probably deserved a little bit better.”

TWU is now on the consolation side of the bracket and they will play Cape Breton Friday afternoon at 12 noon. This game will be webcast live from Victoria.  http://www.wavelit.com/uvicsoccer/

Match Notes: Shots on net TWU 9 YORK 3...Corner kicks TWU 10 York 4...

- TW -

- Jay Duke, TWU Sports Information