Mark Janzen, Trinity Western University
LANGLEY, B.C. – The Spartans made history with its eighth straight shutout, setting a program record for consecutive clean sheets, as Trinity Western cruised to a 5-0 win over Regina Friday at Chase Office Field.
With the clean sheet, the Spartans (9-2-0) also set the program mark for longest shutout streak as they have now gone 736 minutes without conceding a goal. The previous mark was in 728 minutes in 2015.
Offensively, the Spartans Danae Derksen (Delta, B.C.) scored twice, while Rachel Hutchinson (Cloverdale, B.C.), Elizabeth Hicks (Langley) and Jenaya Robertson (Delta, B.C.) each tallied once. Hutchinson's goal, which opened the scoring in the 16th minute, was her team-leading seventh of the season, while Roberston and Derksen now each have five on the year. For the second-year Hicks, her goal was her first as a Spartan.
Seina Kashima had a team-high two assists on the night.
Rachel Sydor (Tsawwassen, B.C.) picked up the shutout.
Since losing two of their first three games of the year, the Spartans have earned wins in eight consecutive outings. During their streak, TWU has outscored its opponents 29-0.
Regina, who dropped to 0-6-5 on the season, was forced to play with 10 players for much of the contest after Lauren Petras was given a red card in the 37th minute.
Hutchinson opened the scoring, converting a cross from Kashima, and, with that, launched the Spartans offensive attack.
Derksen doubled TWU's lead in the 41st minute, knocking home a cross from Hutchinson.
In the second half, the Hicks made it 3-0 in the 65th minute, before Derksen buried her second of the night in the 80th minute. Robertson wrapped up the scoring with a goal in the 90th minute.
TWU outshot Regina 22-1 and had an 11-0 edge in shots on goal.
QUOATABLE
TWU Head Coach Graham Roxburgh
"I was really pleased with our start. We got after them on our front foot, both in terms of defending and also generating some chances. I thought we were a bit unlucky not to score early. Seina was dangerous for most of the game. I was really pleased with her work rate and her desire to get at people. Danae Derksen had an excellent game tonight and provided a little bit of a spark off the bench. Our work rate tonight was excellent, but I thought our execution in the attacking third could have been a little sharper.
"We know we need to keep this roll going. We have tough competition tomorrow night and tough competition next weekend."
NOTABLE
• The Spartans have outscored their opponents 23-0 over their last five games.
• TWU hasn't allowed a goal since a 3-0 loss against Calgary Sept. 16.
• Kashima now has 25 career assists and sits alone in second place all-time in Canada West. She is two assists behind the conference's all-time career leader.
• With the win, TWU coach Graham Roxburgh has now earned 199 career U SPORTS wins, including the regular season and playoffs.
UP NEXT
The Spartans host Saskatchewan Saturday at 5 p.m., while Regina travels to play Fraser Valley Saturday.
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