VICTORIA, British Columbia – A slow start cost the Trinity Western Spartans Saturday afternoon as they fell 24-19 to the Victoria Vikes in Coastal Cup action at Wallace Field in Victoria, BC. The loss drops the Spartans to 0-5 in Coastal Cup play, while the win improves the Vikes to 3-2.
 
The Spartans fell behind early and found themselves behind 24-0 at the end of the first half. TWU came back strong in the second half.
 
Fifth-year prop Ethan Jurgeneit (Bracebridge, Ont.) sparked the comeback with two quick converted tries in the 53rd and 59th minutes. The Spartans made it a one-score game with an unconverted try in the 79th minute by second-year wing Beckham Dickie (Surrey, B.C.).
 
SCORING SUMMARY
11' – VIC Try – 5-0 VIC
14' – VIC Try – 10-0 VIC
21' – VIC Try – 17-0 VIC
44' – VIC Try – 24-0 VIC
53' – TWU Try – 24-7 VIC Ethan Jugerneit (Matthew Willemse convert)
59' – TWU Try – 24-14 VIC Ethan Jugerneit (Wes Willemse convert)
79' – TWU Try – 24-19 VIC Beckham Dickie
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans will have an exhibition match with the Abbotsford RFC on Saturday, November 8, at Exhibition Park in Abbotsford, B.C.
 
QUOTABLE
Andrew Evans, TWU Head Coach
"Today's 24-19 loss to UVic wasn't the outcome we were aiming for, but I'm incredibly proud of the growth and effort shown by our entire men's program throughout this Coastal Cup season. Week after week, these players have demonstrated a relentless work ethic, a genuine commitment to improving, and most importantly, the drive to back it up with action."
 
"UVic were strong in extremely challenging, wet conditions—especially in the first half, where they kept us pinned deep in our own end for nearly 40 minutes. The fact that they came away with only three tries during that stretch speaks volumes about the defensive resilience and heart our men showed."
 
"In the second half, Matt and Wes Willemse gave us an attacking spark, and our forwards really stepped up at scrum time. Ethan Jurgeneit powered through for two well-earned tries, thanks to the collective effort of his teammates driving him over the line. Beckham Dickie brought great energy off the bench and added our third try. Caleb Graham had an outstanding performance over the full 80 minutes and came agonizingly close to setting up a last-minute score, but the ball slipped away—and with it, the game."
 
"With this result, we won't be heading to Nationals this year. While it's disappointing not to be competing at the CUMRC in Montreal, we're already looking ahead to building on this momentum and refining our game as we prepare for our U.S. schedule next semester."
 
 
About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 11 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as in the NAIA in track and field and cross country and 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 33 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 U 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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