Nakano’s first Canada West goal a winner, as 'Pack edge Pronghorns

Nakano’s first Canada West goal a winner, as 'Pack edge Pronghorns

Larry Read, Thompson Rivers University

KAMLOOPS - The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack came up with a character victory as they edged out the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns in Canada West men's soccer action. The score was 2-1. The match was played Saturday (Sept 17) at Hillside Stadium.

SYNOPSIS

Playing without two suspended starters, the TRU WolfPack emerged with a 2-1 victory at home over Lethbridge. WolfPack starters Justin Donaldson (2nd year, midfield, Kamloops, BC) and Colton Walker (4th year, midfield, Sicamous, BC) were sitting out one game suspensions. Japanese import Yuya Nakano (1st year, midfield, Aichi, Japan) scores the winning goal on are rebound in the 79 th minute.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:

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KEY STATS:

Goal scoring:

TRU (43:34): Ryan Glanville (4th year, forward, Williams Lake, BC) takes a high lead pass from Keenan Wallace (1st year, midfield, Kamloops, BC) and fires a left footer past Lethbridge keeper Nolan French (2nd year, Calgary, AB). Glanville, the Canada West second star of the week pots his fifth of the season. TRU 1 Lethbridge 0 at the half.

Lethbridge: (68:28) Chris Rushworth (5th year, midfield, Cranbrook, BC). He capitalizes on a WolfPack miscue getting the pass from Kyle Angerilli (2nd year, midfield, Calgary, AB) and scores on an already down TRU keeper Claye Harsany (2nd year, High River, AB). Rushworth's second goal of the year. TRU 1 Lethbridge 1

TRU (79:11) : Mitch Popadynetz (3rd year, forward, Nelson, BC) breaks in on the left side and gets the shot away. French makes the save but the ball squirts out to Yuya Nakano (1st year, midfield, Aichi, Japan) who puts in the rebound for his first Canada West goal. TRU 2 Lethbridge 1

Corner Kicks: TRU 9 (six in the first half) Lethbridge 4 (three in the first half)

Saves: TRU 4 (three in the second half) by Harsany Lethbridge 1 (in second half) by French

Shots by Period: TRU 12 (nine in the first half) Lethbridge 12 (six in each half)

RECORDS:

TRU 3-4 Lethbridge 2-4-1

QUOTES:

TRU head coach John Antulov:

ON WINNING WITH A DEPLETED LINEUP: " Very happy with the way we battled. We knew it was going to be a difficult game. We knew Lethbridge is a team that doesn't stop going. We knew to get a result we would have to battle for 90 minutes. It was great all the way around. Guys were battling all around the park and that is all I can ask."

Pronghorns head coach Randy Bardock:

ON CONTEST: "I thought we started a little slow but we got better as the went on. Our lack of finishing hurt us in the first half. I would like to see the missed PK in the second half and I will definitely watch the replay of the second goal."

ON HIS TEAM'S EFFORT: "They are good kids and are always underrated. They have a chip on their shoulder and will always battle."

UP NEXT:

The WolfPack close out a four match home stand on Sunday (Sept 18) when they entertain the University of Calgary Dinos. Its Calgary's first visit to play soccer in Kamloops since the 'Pack joined the Canada West.

Antulov on the Calgary match: "Calgary will be another tough match. They are doing very well on the other side right now. It is one of those things where we have to continue that work rate and commitment and you never know what is going to happen."

Lethbridge will travel down Highway 97 to face the UBCO Heat in Kelowna on Sunday.

Bardock on Positives moving into UBCO on Sunday: "We got stronger as the game went on and that is a strong sign. We will build on it for tomorrow."

OF NOTE: Khalifa Fanne (3rd year midfielder, Tours, France) was named the "TRU Bookstore/McDonalds Leader of the Pack" Player of the Match.

Fanne on his team stepping up with two starters out: "We played very well. We encouraged each other in the field and that really helped. We have a group of 24 players and we always work hard for each other."