EDMONTON – Trinity Western fell 2-1 to Alberta at the Clare Drake Arena on Friday.
 
The Spartans (2-15-0) were ousted by the Pandas (8-5-2) in Friday's special teams battle.
 
All three goals scored between both teams came on the player advantage. For the Spartans, it was Neisha Germann (Lloydminster, Alta.) who teed up a slapshot, beating Alberta goaltender Halle Oswald for TWU's lone goal on the night.
 
Mabel Maltais (Edmonton) was stellar in net. The first-year goaltender turned away 29 of 31 shots she faced on the night.
 
AS IT HAPPENED
It was a nondescript start to the game, with both goalies standing strong throughout the period. Alberta's Halle Oswald turned aside all six of TWU's shots, while Maltais stopped all eight that came her way from the Pandas.
 
The Pandas quickly found their groove in the second period, peppering eight shots on Maltais in the first five minutes of the period. The Spartans did threaten to break the tie early, however, with a point-blank shot in the crease put wide, begging for the Spartans to pull ahead. The Pandas were unable to get anything going with TWU's penalty kill unit coming up huge again. Maltais had a highlight-reel save nearing the end of the period, stopping Alberta forward Peyton Laumbach on a cross crease save, and then saving the follow up attempt from the Pandas.
 
The Spartans handed the Pandas their best opportunity in the game early in the third, taking two penalties to give the U of A a 5-on-3 opportunity. Alberta took full advantage of the circumstances as Jadynn Morden and Madison Willan quickly put the Spartans down by two goals. Germann added her power-play marker, which  fourth goal of the season late in the third.
 
NOTABLE

• The Spartans went 1/3 on the powerplay while the Pandas went 2/8.
• Mabel Maltais held a 24-save shutout through two periods of play in Friday's match.
• Neisha Germann currently holds TWU's lead for scoring with four goals and four assists, combining for a team-high of 8 points this season.

 
QUOTABLE
TWU Head Coach Jean Laforest
"It was a great game. We lost 2-1 to a top-tier team in our conference. The effort was outstanding, and goaltending was absolutely incredible. Mabel [Maltais] made some saves that really made a difference.
 
"The difference was in special teams tonight, with them scoring both goals on the power play. Execution was good, effort was good, we had some disciplinary issues that cost us tonight, but I'm glad we took a step forward today. We've officially played every team in our conference, so these games give us a better idea on where we stand.
 
"We're looking forward to finishing strong."

UP NEXT
TWU squares off against Alberta again on Saturday (2 p.m., MT).
 
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.
 
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