LANGLEY, B.C. – The no. 2 ranked Spartans won their tenth-straight of the season on Saturday, defeating Victoria 1-0.
 
It was a rainy Saturday at TWU's Chase Office Field which made for an unpredictable, and exciting match for the two Canada West sides.

Victoria got to work early, forcing the Spartans into tough situations. The 30^th minute saw the Spartans commit a series of defensive lapses, giving Victoria a major chance at net. Although the Vikes forward was able to beat TWU goalkeeper Hannah Miller (Langley, B.C.), the left post of the gaping net was not willing to let the ball past. With a little bit of luck, the game headed into the half at 0-0.
 
The second half saw a different Spartans team as Kathryn Harvey (Coquitlam, B.C.) and Sierra Halldorson (Winnipeg) accelerated chances for the Spartans. Eventually, Harvey and Halldorson combined for the first goal of the day as Halldorson whipped in a wicked corner kick to Harvey in the 64^th minute.
 
With the rain dictating the flow of the game, TWU's intensity ramped up to conquer the worsening conditions. The game's chippy nature increased, placing more emphasis on a physical brand of tactical decisions by the coaching staff of each side.

The Spartans were an impermeable wall after Harvey's game-winner, eradicating any hint of goalscoring from this persistent Victoria team.
 
NOTABLE

• Fourth-year Kathryn Harvey was outstanding in Saturday's match. Adding a goal to her name, the forward forced Victoria to take extensive measures in trying to stop her. Harvey's 64^th minute marker stands as her 11^th career game-winning goal, tying her for fourth in Canada West history.
• TWU was without key players Maddie Melnychuk (Langley, B.C.), Jessica Vance (Coquitlam, B.C.), and Sarah Bazille (Coquitlam, B.C.) in Saturday's match against Victoria. All three players missed Friday's 3-0 victory over Victoria as well.
• Spartans goalkeeper Hannah Miller (Langley, B.C.) has been a tough obstacle to get past for opposing attacks, only conceding a total of three goals through all ten Canada West matches so far. Miller and the Spartans have posted a clean-sheet in eight of ten matches thus far.
• The Spartans have reached their greatest start, and longest win streak after Saturday's victory, beating 2017's record of nine consecutive wins with Saturday being the 10^th consecutive to start the 2021 season.

 
QUOTABLE
TWU Head Coach Graham Roxburgh
"I didn't think we were very good today. We were sloppy in our passing and second to loose balls. I thought we settled down in the second half, passing with more rhythym, but sometimes the other team on a back-to-back will be a better version of themselves.
 
"I'm pleased we didn't give up a goal. Hannah Miller was definitely our player of the game by a longshot. Her distribution has been tidy and she made timely saves today.
 
"Overall, we just need to be better going forward."
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans are at UBC for their final Canada West conference games of the 2021 season next week (Oct 15^th & 16^th).
 
About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 12 U SPORTS team championships and 29 Canada West team championships.

-TW-