Mark Janzen, Trinity Western University
LANGLEY, B.C. – For the fourth time in the last five outings, the Trinity Western women's soccer won by a 5-0 count, this time beating Saskatchewan Saturday at Chase Office Field.
The win is the Spartans ninth straight shutout victory and extends TWU's impressive shutout streak to a whopping 826 minutes while improving the Spartans record to 10-2 on the season. The victory also marked coach Graham Roxburgh's 200th U SPORTS win, including the regular season and playoffs.
Graduating senior Christina Oliverio (Calgary) made five saves to earn her seventh shutout of the season and help TWU maintain its spot atop the Pacific Division. Oliverio and fellow graduating senior Carmen Mostat (Langley) were honoured in a pregame ceremony.
Kathryn Harvey (Coquitlam, B.C.) scored twice for TWU, while Danae Derksen (Delta, B.C.), Kathleen Chin (Calgary) and Leanne Verhoeff (Calgary) each scored once.
Harvey opened the scoring in the 22nd minute and, as has been the case in recent games, the Spartans offence rolled from there.
Derksen put TWU up 2-0 when she found her way to a rebound in the box for her sixth goal of the year in the 28th minute.
Just before the break, Saskatchewan had its best offensive chance of the night when Rebecca Weckworth nearly caught Oliverio off her line with a long shot on target, but the Spartans netminder punched the ball over the net.
Less than three minutes into the second half, Harvey scored again, taking a pass from Seina Kashima (Burnaby, B.C.) and tucking the ball in off the left post.
After Chin converted a penalty shot in the 59th minute, Verhoeff put the finishing touches on the win, heading home a Gabi Short (Calgary) cross.
TWU has outscored its opponents 34-0 over its nine-game winning streak.
QUOATABLE
TWU Head Coach Graham Roxburgh
On the match
"From the first whistle, I thought we were on them. We asked our team to be on the front foot and we generated lots of really good chances. We stayed at it and kept pressing and kept pushing. We have some players who can generate great chances for us. I'm really pleased for Kat to score two great goals. I thought Amy Gartke (Edmonton) was everything Amy Gartke has always been. It was a fantastic performance and we saw lots of good minutes for everyone."
On his 200th U SPORTS win
"It's a special milestone. It's a special group of people, with the alumni that has been for many years and the group that planted the foundation and started the program being successful. There are so many special names and special people. Obviously, there's my coaching staff. You never do these things by yourself. This is something that Erin (O'Driscoll, associate coach) and coaches in the past and present should celebrate as well."
NOTABLE
• With her two assists, Kashima now has 27 career helpers, moving her into a tie with former Calgary Dino Tessa Miller for the Canada West record.
• The Spartans have scored at least four goals in each of their last six contests.
• The Spartans have outscored their opponents 28-0 over their last six games.
• TWU hasn't allowed a goal since a 3-0 loss against Calgary Sept. 16.
UP NEXT
The Spartans will now prepare for their final weekend of the season, when they travel to play Victoria Friday and UBC Saturday.
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