LANGLEY, B.C. – The Spartans took home a 3-2 win over UBC Okanagan in front of their first home crowd since October, 2019. With this win, the Spartans improved their all-time record against UBC Okanagan to 8-0-1.
 
The Spartans put UBC Okanagan under immense pressure throughout the entire first half. Second-year Maddie Melnychuk (Langley, B.C.) scored Trinity Western's first goal in the 33^rd minute, powering the ball off the crossbar, and in off a through-ball from Anna Dunn (Edmonton).
 
Trinity Western's second goal came from Sarah Bazille (Coquitlam, B.C.), who calmly controlled a sloppy clearance by UBC Okanagan, took a touch, and curled the ball into the bottom-left corner well outside the 18-yard box.
 
Elizabeth Hicks (Surrey, B.C.) scored the third goal for the Spartans, neatly tucking the ball into the back of the net off Jessica Vance's (Coquitlam, B.C.) assist.
 
UBC Okanagan began to claw back one the second half came around. Both goals were scored by Stefanie Young, who potted both in the 58^th, and 68^th minute. UBC Okanagan was forced to play off the counter-attack due to Trinity Western's possession-based style of play, catching the Spartans back-line by surprise both times to bring the game within striking distance.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Trinity Western Spartans (@twuspartans)

 
With the momentum favouring the opposition, the Spartans held on to win thanks to a solid regrouping effort by Hannah Miller (Langley, B.C.) and the Spartans defensive team.
 
QUOTABLE
TWU Head Coach Graham Roxburgh
"We started really well in terms of winning the ball higher up the park. We seemed a little bit tentative, but we had territorial dominance. Makenna Dietrich (Langley, B.C.) was great off the bench for us. She brought a lot of energy and made things happen. Any time you score three goals in a half, you have to be happy.
 
"The second half brought two really good chances off the bat which we couldn't put home. Our defensive miscommunication was exposed tonight, heavily contributing in both goals they scored.
 
"It was a special environment tonight. Things have been stressful throughout the past two years, so it was really special being in front of our fans at home again."
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans will look for a weekend sweep, playing UBC Okanagan tomorrow at 5p.m.
 
 
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-