LANGFORD, B.C. – Playing the Pacific Pride (Canada's National Academy Program), the Trinity Western men's rugby team lost 57-8 Saturday afternoon at Starlight Stadium. 

Two weeks after earning an historic win over the Pride, the Spartans were second best on the day as a new-look TWU set-up were unable to hang with a motivated Pride side. 

TWU is now 1-3 in the Coastal Cup this season, while the win improves the Pride's record to 3-1.

Jan Lourens (Smoky Lake, Alta.) dotted down the lone try for the Spartans, while TWU's Guiseppe du Toit (Maple Ridge, B.C.) slotted a penalty. 

The Spartans trailed 26-3 at halftime with du Toit's penalty standing as the Spartans only offensive production of the first 40 minutes. 

Lourens scored in the second half, but the Pride added another 31 points to their total to secure the win. 

TWU Scoring Plays
1st Half
Penalty – Du Toit 

2nd Half
Try – Lourens 

QUOTABLE
Andrew Evans – Director of Rugby
"Today we tested some different combinations to build our depth towards nationals, where we want to perform well in later this semester. Testing those combinations against a quality side such as the Pride is a risky move, but we were and are confident in the men who played today. 

"Leo Chen (Langley, B.C.), Ollie Clarke (Duncan, B.C.) and Ken Paul (Langley) all played significant minutes today and they all have tremendous upside, especially when you consider they all were in high school last year. I thought they represented TWU extremely well and all held up against the National Academy. As a coaching staff we believe in deliberate practice, and a key component of it is welcoming discomfort to grow. 

"The biggest disappointment today was too many missed tackles. The Pride are extremely athletic and punished us today on their chances. We were unable to finish on our chances but I commend the team on the opportunities they created, especially as we tested new combinations today."

NOTABLE
•    TWU is now 1-2 all-time against the Pacific Pride, including TWU's victory earlier this year and a loss in the 2021 Coastal Cup. 
•    The Spartans are the only team to earn a win over the Pride this year, with UBC losing 56-28 and UVIC falling 31-24. 

UP NEXT
The Spartans have a week off before hosting UBC in a key Coastal Cup matchup Oct. 15 at the Willoughby Community Centre.

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 13 U SPORTS team championships and 32 Canada West team championships.

About Trinity Western University
Recognized for quality, TWU has received seven consecutive A+ rankings for Quality of Teaching and Learning, holds three Canada Research Chairs, and wins national championships in CIS sports. More importantly, lives are changed at TWU through its whole-person, Christ-centred approach to education. With a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree-completion programs, TWU equips leaders of character and competence to make a positive impact in the lives of others.  

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