MSOC: Huskies score first-half goal to beat Spartans

MSOC: Huskies score first-half goal to beat Spartans

By Mark Janzen, Trinity Western University

LANGLEY, B.C. – Saskatchewan's Bryce Marinus scored in the 14th minute and his goal proved to be the game-winner as Trinity Western's men's soccer team lost 1-0 to the Huskies Saturday at Chase Office Field.

The Spartans (3-2-3) had the edge in both shots (18-15) and shots on goal (7-5), but were unable to beat Saskatchewan goalie Patrick Pranger, who earned his second clean sheet of the season.

Holding off a late TWU surge, the Huskies (5-3-0) extended their winning streak against the Spartans to four games, including the playoffs. TWU's last victory over Saskatchewan was Oct. 13, 2012 (1-0).

TWU goalie Sebastian Colyn (Langley) made four saves in the loss.

The Spartans Aidan Moore (Langley) nearly opened the scoring in the fifth minute when he raced down the left flank with space, but he sent his shot wide right.

Less than 10 minutes later Marinus opened the scoring. After a Saskatchewan shot bounced off the post, the Huskies Tyler Redl chested the ball over to Marinus, who knocked it in for his second of the year.

The Spartans pushed for the equaliser and forced the ball forward for much of the contest, but ultimately they came up empty-handed.

Captain Elie Gindo (Langley) nearly found the tying goal in the 87th minute, but his shot from 10 yards out skipped wide.

QUOATABLE
TWU Head Coach Mike Shearon
On the Match
"The result that happened tonight was the result that should have happened. They were better than us in the first half for sure and we didn't take our chances and that came back to bite us. We were outplayed tonight and that's the honest truth.

"They did a lot of the things that we talked about, but we just didn't have an answer for it tonight. We created some things at the end and had a number of good chances throughout the game, but we didn't take them. It was hard for us to get control of the game based on the way that they play and that's a credit to Saskatchewan."

NOTABLE
• After scoring five goals against Lethbridge in a 5-1 TWU victory, the Spartans were held off the scoreboard for the fourth time this season.
• The win for Saskatchewan was a big bounce-back effort after losing 5-1 against UBC Okanagan Friday.
• Third-year Jordyn Field (Vancouver) made his Spartans regular season debut, coming into the match in the 82nd minute.

UP NEXT
The Spartans travel to play No. 1-ranked Alberta Sept. 23 and Calgary Sept. 24. Saskatchewan returns home to entertain Victoria Sept. 23 and Thompson Rivers Sept. 24.

-TW-