Scott Stewart, Trinity Western University
LANGLEY, British Columbia – The No. 5 ranked Trinity Western Spartans defeated the UNBC Timberwolves 4-0 Saturday night at Chase Office Field in Langley, B.C. The victory moved the first place Spartans to 7-0-2, while the loss keeps the Timberwolves winless in Canada West at 0-8-0.
"Pleased that we had a good jump to start the match and got a couple of early goals. We moved the ball really well in the first half and won the ball up the park and it was a great start for us," commented TWU head coach Graham Roxburgh. "We knew we would have lots of possession. Pleased that we executed well, a little disappointed we didn't finish our chances."
"Vanessa Wiebe came in and gave us a great game tonight and Amy Gartke played really well."
The Spartans jumped out in front early with goals from fifth year forward Isabella Di Trocchio (Burnaby, B.C.) in the seventh minute, and third year forward Seina Kashima (Burnaby, B.C.) in the ninth minute. Both markers were set up nicely with crossing passes by TWU second year forward Rachel Hutchinson (Cloverdale, B.C.).
TWU got their third goal of the half when rookie defender Kristen Sakaki (Surrey, B.C.) beat the UNBC defenders up the left side to find third year defender Amy Gartke (Edmonton) in the centre of the box. Gartke one-timed the ball past a diving UNBC keeper Lianna Toopitsin.
The Spartans ended the half with a 13-0 edge in shots on net and a 3-0 lead.
Gartke got her second of the match to open the scoring in the 50th minute. Gartke converted the low cross from third year forward Danae Derksen (Delta, B.C.) to put TWU up 4-0.
The Spartans would have a number of chances as the game wound down, but UNBC's Lianna Toopitsin another five saves to make the final 4-0 for Trinity Western.
TWU fourth year keeper Christiana Oliverio (Calgary) was not tested as she finished with the shutout win, while UNBC's Toopitsin finished with 10 saves.
The Spartans finished the night with a total of 25 shots, while the Timberwolves finished without a shot towards the TWU net.
Next up for the Spartans is the Fraser Valley Cascades on Friday, October 7. Match time at TWU's Chase Office Field is set for 5 p.m. PST. UNBC will host the Alberta Pandas on Saturday, October 8.
Match notes: The Spartans have not lost in Canada West conference play since Sept 11, 2015, a 2-0 loss to UBC…The win extends TWU's conference unbeaten streak to 20 matches… TWU has outscored their opponents 21-2 in conference play… the Spartans extended their shutout streak to 372 minutes…TWU defeated No. 8 Alberta 2-0 Friday night…
-TW-