Biggs breaks Canada West shutout record in win

Biggs breaks Canada West shutout record in win

EDMONTON – Jessie Candlish scored two goals, while fifth-year goalkeeper Kelti Biggs made four saves for the shutout win, and a new conference record in clean sheets, as the University of Alberta Pandas defeated the Winnipeg Wesmen 4-0 at Foote Field on Saturday afternoon.

The Spruce Grove, Alberta born Biggs now has 32.5 shutouts in her career, which pushes her past the previous Canada West record holder, former Trinity Western goalie Kristen Funk, who recorded 32. Biggs came into the season with 25.5 shutouts, but has been stellar between the woodwork this season, recording seven clean sheets, as well as 0.33 goals against average in nine starts.

At the other end of the pitch, the Pandas offence was getting it done as well, as Candlish notched goals four and five on the season, while also recording a pair of assists. Brandt, meanwhile, scored her first of the season, while also picking up two assists, and Alison Ferguson rounded out Alberta's scoring.

The Pandas, who are now 5-1-3 on the season, built up a quick 2-0 lead on the visiting Wesmen, with Candlish scoring just three minutes into the first half, and then Ferguson made it 2-0 before the game was 20 minutes old.

In the second half, Candlish flicked a volley past Winnipeg goalie Taylor Thorkelsson in the 59th minute, and then Brandt directed a header, off a great cross from Candlish, into the Wesmen goal for all the scoring the Pandas would need.

Alberta continues to sit in third place in the Canada West Prairie Division standings, while Winnipeg falls to 1-8 on the year. The Pandas are tied with Saskatchewan for the final playoff spots in the division, and will close out the regular season next weekend on the "road" against the Grant MacEwan Griffins in Edmonton. MacEwan currently sits in second place with a 7-1-1 record.

The Pandas and Wesmen will clash again on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. at Foote Field.