Larry Read

TRU Sports Information Officer

KAMLOOPS, BC—Taking a page out of the Kenny Rogers country song " The Gambler", Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women's soccer head coach Kelly Shantz tried his hand at "knowing when to hold 'em and knowing when to fold 'em."

The WolfPack changed their strategy in order to get some offense against the University of Calgary Dino's. Sadly, it backfired as they fell 4-0 to Calgary.

The Dino's got a natural hat trick from Kelsie McDonald as Calgary scored four times in the second half to erase a scoreless contest at half time.

SYNOPSIS

The Dinos were led by the trio of McDonald, Maddison Fritze and Montana Leonard.   McDonald had three goals, Fritze had a goal and three assists. 

Lauren Houghton had very little work in earning her fifth shutout of the year.

Before the contest, the WolfPack honored their lone graduating player-defender Christine Fergin of Waterloo, Ontario.  Fergin's mother Kathy made the trip to Kamloops to see her daughter play for the first time in her four year career.  Fergin, the co-captain at TRU is a USports Academic All Canadian and will graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Tourism this spring.

HIGHLIGHTS:

click here

KEY STATS:

Goal scoring:

1.  64:45-Calgary-Maddison Fritze (4^th year, forward, Edmonton, AB) gets the through ball after Montana Leonard (2^nd year,forward, Richmond, BC) went down the right wing and cut to the middle around at TRU defender).  Fritze's 7 th goal of the year.  Calgary 1  TRU 0
2. 78:21-Calgary-Kelsie MacDonald (2^nd year, forward, Calgary, AB) cashes in on a rebound. The play was started with Maddison Fritze down the far side, she falls but slides the ball to Montana Leonard who takes the shot.  TRU's Robertson makes save but MacDonald scores on rebound. Her third of the year.  Calgary 2  TRU 0
3. 83:08—Calgary—Kelsie MacDonald finishes off a three way cross field play.  She is shoveled the ball by Fritze and, untouched by a TRU defender scores lower left side for her second of the match. Fourth goal of the year   Calgary 3  TRU 0
4. 90:00—Calgary—Kelsie MacDonald completes the natural hat trick as she takes a touch pass from Fritze.  Five goals on the year for MacDonald.  Calgary 4  TRU 0

Shots:    Calgary:  9-26:35   TRU:    1-0:1     Corners:   Calgary:    8-9:17     TRU: 0

 Saves:   TRU: 3-8:11  Calgary:     0-0:0      Shots on goal:  Calgary:  3-12:15  TRU:0-0:0

Keepers:   TRU:   Dannielle Robertson (1^st year, Courtenay, BC)        Calgary: Lauren Houghton (1^st year, Calgary, AB)

RECORDS:

Calgary:  6-3-3                   TRU: 3-7-1

QUOTES:

TRU head coach Kelly Shantz (2^nd season): 

On gambling in the second half by removing a back and adding another forward. "They went up one in the 65 th minute mark and there was a lot of time to play. I went to three in the back and two up front. It is something we haven't worked a lot on and we didn't react too it. They got those three. It doesn't good on the scoreboard. But we had to give it a go. Today is a bit of bonus day, if we got something against Calgary that was great. We have to look at the positives. We go into the last weekend still battling for a playoff spot.  We have a big week of training ahead."

This result setting up a big 'winner take all' game vs UNBC on Saturday: "Absolutely. It's fun. That is the way soccer should be. It is a bit Interior rivalry. They are a growing program. We are a growing program. There is one playoff spot up for grabs.  Sunday will probably have consequences too (TRU plays host to MacEwan and UNBC goes to Kelowna to play UBCO).  Its exciting. At the start of the year, being picked by the other coaches as 16 th  and now playing for a playoff spot in the last week of the season is a goal we set for ourselves. We are right in it. We can't ask for more. We have grown and learned and that will continue. It is exciting."

COACHES VIDEO COMMENTS:  click here

TRU defender Christine Fergin (4^th year, Waterloo, ON)

Her thoughts on the match where she was honored.  "It was super emotional. There were some tears before the game in the dressing room and even yesterday. I am sad it's coming to an end.  I am excited to see where the girls go in the future."

On match with Calgary. "I think Calgary wanted it more in the second half. They kind of came out a lot harder and we couldn't match it."

Calgary head coach Troye Flannery (5^th season):

 On Second half explosion:  " The second half was a little more dynamic going forward. I liked that third goal a lot. It was a combination of skill and making the right decisions. Certainly not selfish by any means. It was a great goal. Likely the best goal of the year for us to date."

Talking about the chemistry of MacDonald/Fritze and Leonard: " It took a while. I will be honest. That wasn't our first choice for the front three come training camp. But because of injuries to some big names, we moved some people around. They are starting to jell and do it at the right time."

COACHES VIDEO COMMENTS: click here

UP NEXT:

The WolfPack close out their regular season as they play host to the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves and the MacEwan University Griffins next weekend (Oct 21-22).

The Timberwolves will be at Hillside Stadium for a noon kick off on Saturday.  They beat TRU in the regular season opener 3-0.

On Sunday, MacEwan comes to visit Kamloops.  The Griffins beat TRU 7-2 on the opening weekend TRU's season in Alberta.  Due to a scheduling conflict at Hillside Stadium, the match will be played at noon (Oct 22) at McArthur Island.

Both matches WILL NOT be webcast  live on a pay per view basis on www.Canadawest.TV.

Today's game will be shown later this week on Shaw TV in Kamloops, BC.

The WolfPack men are hosting the 2017 USport Men's Soccer Nationals November 9-12^th. Tickets on sale at all TRU home matches.