Larry Read, Thompson Rivers University
KAMLOOPS - Justin Donaldson (2nd year, midfield, Kamloops, BC) came back to haunt his old team. The former Victoria Vike had a natural hat trick in the first half en route to TRU's 4-0 blanking of the visiting Vikes at Hillside Stadium. The victory was the first of the season for the WolfPack.
The loss was the second in as many years for Victoria on the turf at Hillside Stadium. In 2015, TRU beat Victoria 4-2 on October 18th.
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:
https://youtu.be/2DHozoZJX9s
KEY STATS:
Goal scoring:
TRU (7:00) Justin Donaldson (2nd year mid, Kamloops, BC) gets the 'flick on' from Canada West 2nd team all-star Ryan Glanville (4th year forward, Williams Lake, BC) and boots it past Victoria keeper Noah Pawlowski with the left footer from 25 yards out. 1-0 TRU
TRU (31:00) Donaldson get the ball from 25 yards out and blasts a rocket that evades Pawlowski. His third goal of the year. 2-0 TRU
TRU (43:00) Off a set play, Mitch Popadynetz (3rd year, forward, Nelson, BC) takes a corner kick from the left side. It is headed in by Donaldson. His third goal of the match and fourth of the season. 3-0 TRU at the half.
TRU (53:00) Pawlowski makes the initial stop on a shot from the right side of the zone. He can't hold onto the ball and it squirts out to Popadynetz, who was unchecked. Popadynetz had all kinds of time and buried the rebound for his first of the year. 4-0 TRU
STATS:
Corner Kicks: Victoria 9 (6 in second half) TRU 3 (2 in the first half)
Saves: UBC: Noah Pawlowski (5th year Salt Spring Island, BC) 3 saves 7 shots on goals
TRU: Clay Harsany (2nd year, High River, AB) 7 saves, 6 shots on goal
Shots by Period: Victoria 24 (11 in first half 13 in second) TRU 18 (13 in first half 5 in second)
Saves by Period: Victoria 3 (2 in first half 1 in second) TRU 7 (1 in first half 6 in second)
RECORDS:
TRU 1-1 UVIC 0-2
QUOTES:
TRU head coach John Antulov:
On game: " I thought overall –both defensively and offensively, especially the first 75 minutes we took it to them. We put a lot of pressure on their back line. We scored a lot of nice goals. I was really happy with our defensive capabilities.
On being sharp mentally: " We knew they lost yesterday and we knew they were going to be pumped up. We told the guys they had to match that intensity. And we came out hoppin off the bat."
On performance of Justin Donaldson: " Justin has been great all year. Having Ryan (Glanville, 4th year, forward, Williams Lake, BC) back in the lineup allowed Justin to be our 'target guy' with the pace we had on the side."
TRU Midfielder Justin Donaldson:
On game: "I was a little nervous coming out because it was my old team. I have a lot of respect for them. When I scored I didn't want to celebrate too much. I liked my second goal the most. I looked up and saw a couple of players but I decided to be a little selfish a bit and chopped through."
UP NEXT:
TRU visits the Trinity Western University Spartans Friday September 3rd 8:15 pm.
Antulov on how the win will help set up their first roadswing of the year: "This really helps our confidence. Not only scoring but getting the shutout as well. I really liked the way our defensive shape played. I didn't like the last 15 or 20 minutes but sometimes you have to win a little bit ugly.""
Victoria has a bye week and doesn't play again until Friday, September 9th when they host Fraser Valley.
OF NOTE: The match was the return of Austin Schneebeli (3rd year, midfield, Sicamous, BC) to Hillside Stadium. He played two seasons with the WolfPack. It was also the first time he faced longtime teammate, friend and schoolmate Colton Walker (4th year, midfield, Sicamous, BC) of the WolfPack.
Justin Donaldson of TRU was named the McDonalds/TRU Bookstore "Leader of the Pack" player of the match for the second straight match. Glanville, Kalifa Fanne (3rd year, midfielder, Tours, France), Adam Swanson (2nd year, defender, North Vancouver, BC) and Maxime Fieujean (1st year, defender,Serves France) were all starters on Sunday for the first time this season.