EDMONTON – Trinity Western's 2024 campaign came to an end after dropping a 3-0 decision against No. 6-ranked and Prairie Division-winning Alberta Friday afternoon at Foote Field.
The Spartans, who finished the regular season with a 6-6-3 record which put them fourth in the Pacific Division, hung with the Golden Bears early on, but a 31st minute goal from Alberta's Caden Ruby put momentum squarely with the home side.
A second Bears goal six minutes later from Rodane Cato gave Alberta 2-0 lead going into halftime.
TWU outshot Alberta 6-5 over the final 45 minutes, but were unable to beat Bears keeper Liam Collens, with a 73rd minute marker from Marcus Velado-Tsegay ultimately securing the win.
Alexander Cordeiro (Burnaby, B.C.) stopped seven of the 10 Alberta shots he faced, which included a pair of tough stops in the first half to keep the game within reach. Alberta outshot Trinity Western 15-13 in the match. Despite the ramped up pressure, however, the Spartans were unable to generate quality looks from in close.
Charles Nana (Calgary) led Trinity Western in their attack, finishing with a match-high five shots. Both of his shots on target were turned aside by Collens in the Bears net.
The loss marks the second year in a row TWU has seen its season come to an end at the hands of the Golden Bears, after Alberta beat TWU 3-1 in the quarterfinals in 2023.
NOTABLE
• This was the second meeting between the Spartans and Bears this year, with Alberta beating TWU 3-2 in the regular season.
• The Spartans finish the 2024 season with 6-8-3 overall record, including preseason, regular season and playoffs.
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 and women's and men's disc golf. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 14 U SPORTS team championships and 34 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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