LANGLEY, British Columbia – Trinity Western's Alessandra Oliverio (Calgary) scored on a second-half penalty kick to rally the No. 4 ranked Spartans to a 1-1 draw with visiting UBC Okanagan Friday at Rogers Field.

After UBCO's Michelle Smith opened the scoring in the 41st minute, the Spartans Oliverio evened the contest in the 52nd minute from the penalty spot.

Despite TWU firing off 14 shots in the second half alone and six on target, the Spartans were unable to complete the comeback and were held to a draw with the Heat for the first time since UBCO started competing in the CIS in 2014.

With her successful penalty, Oliverio is now five for five from the spot in her Canada West career.

Heat goalie Joella Koblischke made six save to earn the draw, while TWU's Ally Williamson (Langley) stopped two of the three shots she faced.

The Spartans are now 1-1-1 on the season while UBCO is 1-1-3.

"I was disappointed with our start today," said Spartans coach Graham Roxburgh. "I thought our young kids played really well and Quinn Hardstaff (Calgary) was outstanding tonight, but we just didn't have a full 90-minute effort that we need to win."

The Spartans and Heat played a tight first half and it was Smith putting the defending conference champions on their heels when she found the back of the net. Madelyn Ellis earned an assist on the play.

After halftime, TWU returned to the pitch a much more determined lot and threw everything at the Heat net, but Oliverio was the only Spartan to beat Koblischke.

An 88th-minute shot on net from TWU's Krista Gommeringer (Calgary) was the Spartans last gasp, but Koblischke was once again there to stymie the attempt.

The Spartans will now host Thompson Rivers Saturday at Rogers Field at 5 p.m. The Heat will travel to play Fraser Valley Saturday at 5 p.m.

Game Notes: Last year, TWU won both of its games against the Heat and scored a combined 10 goals…the Spartans Brooklyn Tidder (White Rock, B.C.) was issued a yellow card in the 62nd minute.

-TW-