By Larry Read

TRU Sports Information Officer

The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack scored three straight first half goals and withstood a big second half challenge to down the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves 3-1.  The Canada West women's soccer match was played Sunday (Sept 9) at Hillside Stadium in Kamloops, BC.  The victory was the first of the season for the 'Pack who go to .500 at 1-1.  UNBC falls to a loss and a tie.

TRU was led by Camryn Curts with two assists. 

WolfPack markers were scored by Marisa Mendonca, Chantal Gammie and Abbie Simms.   Sofia Jones had the lone marker for the Timberwolves.

SYNOPSIS

UNBC came out strong and got the matches first three scoring chances. The best came in the sixth minute mark when Paige Payne turned at the top of the 18-yard box forcing Danielle Robertson to make the save.

But it was the WolfPack who scored first when Smithers native Chantal Gammie (1^st year) got a through ball from Camryn Curts and notched her first Canada West goal in the 8^th minute.

They added a second goal in the 27 th minute when Abbie Simms (1^st year, Courtenay, BC) was able to head the ball forward into the net after a centering effort from Curts.

After TRU's Marisa Mendosa scored on a penalty kick, UNBC's Sofia Jones (2^nd year, forward, San Fransisco, CA) got a break away but was thwarted by Robertson.  Jones later scored in the 44^th minute to put UNBC on the board as she launched a high shot, which found the back of the net.   TRU led 3-1 at the half.

UNBC came out of the dressing room fired up with Paige Payne (3^rd year, midfield, Kitimat, BC) having a couple of great scoring opportunities.

In the 55^th minute mark, Gammie got the pass from Emily Mann (2^nd year, midfield, Kamloops, BC) and shoveled it to Curts at the top of the box. Her effort hit the cross bar.

The Timberwolves dominated the offensive opportunities in the second half. Roberton made two big saves including one in the 80 th minute one handed to preserve the victory.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Click here

KEY STATS:

Goal scoring:

1. 8:57 –TRU—Chantal Gammie (1^st year, forward, Smithers, BC) took a lead pass from Camryn Curts (2^nd year, midfielder, Courtenay, BC)  and beat  UNBC keeper Madi Doyle with a right footer.  Gammie's first career Canada West goal     TRU 1  UNBC 0
2. 26:58—TRU—Abbie Simms (1^st year, midfield, Courtenay, BC)  headed the ball in after teammate Camryn Curts bulled her way down the right side, fought off  UNBC's Madison Emmond and put it towards the goal.   Simms first Canada West career goal.  TRU 2  UNBC 0
3. 30:00—TRU—Marisa Mendosa (4^th year, midfield, Penticton, BC) scored on a penalty kick-low right side of the net on Doyle.  Mendosa's first goal of the season.  TRU 3  UNBC 0
4. 44:25- UNBC-Sofia Jones (2^nd year, forward, San Fransisco, CA) one times it to the top of the net over the head of Robertson. Jones first goal of the year.  TRU 3  UNBC 1

Shots:    UNBC: 10- 9:19   TRU:  6-1:7       Corners:   UNBC:   2-4:6      TRU: 2-0:2

                     Saves:   TRU: 3-3:6  UNBC:  2-0:2               Shots on goal:  UNBC:  4-4:8  TRU 5-0:5

Keepers:   TRU:   Danielle Robertson (2^nd year, Courtenay, BC) (1-1)

       UNBC: Madi Doyle (2^nd year, Squamish, BC) (0-1)

RECORDS:

UNBC:  0-1-1       TRU: 1-1

QUOTES:

TRU head coach Kelly Shantz (3rd season): 

On Match:"Just nice to gut one out. We had a chance to win one yesterday and led after the first half but we didn't deserve it. Today, we played a phenominal first half and got three goals. It was really important for us to get a lead and learn to play with it against an opponent we need to stay in front of.  We had some wobbly moments in the second half but we gutted it out and started to communicate and do the things we had to do."

On lessons learned from loss to MacEwan: " It was just getting some confidence in these kids. I am still learning about them even though I have recruited them and been around them. What is their confidence level? What is their spirit?  Yesterday our rookies were nervous along with some of my second years. Today, we regrouped and told them to flow and just play. We told them to think about themselves when they were in youth soccer and at their best and let that come out. It did show in the first half as we got aggressive in the air and win some balls. It was only for about 20 to 30 minute spots. We need to build on that and be more consistent."

COACHES INTERVIEW VIDEO:  click here

 TRU Midfielder Camryn Curts (2^nd year, Courtenay, BC):

On the match:  "We came out strong and capitalized on our opportunities. In the second half, it was a big scary but we kept it together and pushed it hard to get the win. We had five rookies out there yesterday. I think we shook off the nerves and did better today."

On setting up longtime teammate Abbie Simms for her first Canada West goal: " That was awesome. We were reminiscing about our old times back in VIPL. She said she saw me coming and said she had to go to the net to make sure it made it there. I thought that was awesome."

On the battle in the middle of the field: " It was hard in the middle. Every team we play against has a very strong middle. Its very difficult but you have to have the mindset to go into every tackle and give it your all to get the victory. I seem to be adjusting pretty well for my second year in Canada West. I try and do my best out there."

CURTS' INTERVIEW VIDEO: click here

UNBC head coach Neil Sedgwick (3rd season):

 On strong second half after being down 3-1: " We made some changes late in the first half and we got some energy. We carried that through into the second half. We had some good chances but we ran into a very resilient WolfPack team. It is always good to play TRU, they are always good matches and very entertaining along with providing different challenges every time."

On the strong play of Paige Payne and Sofia Jones: "They have been fantastic in the preseason and yesterday. They add a real element to our team. Sofia is new to our team. Paige is really coming into her own as a player. As a duo they add a dynamic nature to our team which is great."

COACHES INTERVIEW VIDEO: click here

UP NEXT:

The WolfPack will be on the road next weekend (Sept 15-16) as they visit the province of Alberta for matches on Saturday against the Pandas at the Univeristy of Alberta in Edmonton and then bus to Calgary to face the Mount Royal Cougars.  Their next home match is Saturday September 29 th when they entertain the Trinity Western University Spartans.   It's the start of a three match home stand which will see the 'Pack play host to the University of Fraser Valley Cascades and the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat.  That match with UBCO is the third in the President's Cup series.

UNBC heads back home to host the University of Regina Cougars on Friday (Sept 14) and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies on Sunday (September 16).

The matches will be webcast  live on a pay per view basis on www.Canadawest.TV.

OF NOTE:

Penticton, BC native Jollee Perrier (2^nd year forward) saw her first action of the season starting for the WolfPack in this one .  For the second straight match, Thompson Rivers was without Co-captain Natalie Verdiel (4^th year, defender, Powell River, BC) who was nursing a lower body injury.  Her three year 'iron-woman' streak was broken when she missed the home opener on Saturday (Sept 8). The McDonald's/TRU Bookstore  "Leader of the Pack" player of the match was: Curts.