No. 1 ranked Trinity Western became nine-time Canada West champions on Saturday, November 6, defeating the no. 4 ranked UBC Thunderbirds 1-0.
With both the Spartans (3-0-0) and the Thunderbirds (2-1-0) putting all their chips in the middle for Saturday's match, neither team wanted to surrender any chances from either end.
The game started with some counter-attacking play by both sides. With both sides playing directly, the Spartans were the first to move to a counter-attacking mindset as UBC's play in the midfield was strong.
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Spartans press on towards victory
With UBC playing to their strengths at the beginning of the match, the momentum quickly shifted in the road team's favour.
Spartans defender Jessica Vance (Coquitlam, B.C.) was strong to begin the game as the first-year was able to dismantle UBC's final efforts in the box. Still, with the TWU back line playing impressively, the Spartans were unable to take control of the midfield throughout the beginning stages of the first half.
The latter stage of the first half saw the Spartans show signs of life as Sierra Halldorson (Winnipeg) started to settle into the middle of the park. Without a goal to show for Halldorson's impact on the match, the half ended at 0-0.
As the players were taking the field for the second half, no signs of angst were expressed from either side. This display of calm, cool, collectedness spoke volumes to the impressive nature of both programs.
With the second half beginning, neither team seemed keen to allow any substantial chance as the bulk of the play was pinned to the midfield.
Chances started to compile near the end of regulation, with the Spartans finally snatching a late one from Kathryn Harvey (Coquitlam, B.C.). UBC goalkeeper Emily Moore booted the ball up the field off a goal kick, sending the ball right to TWU forward Makenna Dieterich (Langley, B.C.). Dieterich couldn't control the ball as it was cleared by a UBC defender. Sierra Halldorson applied pressure, snatching up the ball to immediately loft a pass to Harvey. With just Moore to beat, Harvey snuck it into the back of the net.
Harvey's goal was not only the final nail in the coffin needed to take down UBC, but her 88th minute goal stands as the only goal scored by the Spartans as the game came to a 1-0 close. With the final whistle being blown, the Spartan faithful burst onto the field to congratulate the newly crowned Canada West champions.
TWU Head Coach Graham Roxburgh commented, "That's a special one, obviously because of the circumstances over the last two years. I couldn't be more pleased for Elizabeth Hicks (Surrey, B.C.) and the seniors.
"I told Rob Giesbrecth that this game would probably go to overtime with eight minutes left, but if we got Harvey central, she would get past UBC one more time. Sierra Halldorson put in an amazing ball, Harvey's finish was great," he continued.
"In the end, character shone through and I couldn't be more proud of the girls. UBC is a great team and they were a bit unlucky to not bury one of their chances. Still, we defended really well at the right moments to produce a couple of opportunities. In the end, an even game has to go one way, and tonight it went our way."
See this story in the Langley Advance Times.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four campuses: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.