LANGLEY, B.C. – Trinity Western earned a 36-19 win over Western Washington University Saturday afternoon at Willoughby Stadium at Langley Events Centre.
With five different players dotting down on the day, the Spartans opened their 2026 account with a convincing victory over their cross-border rivals.
Maeson Westerlund,
Caleb Graham,
Genaro Gandolfo,
Brady Howlett and
Matthew Willemse all scored tries for the home side, while Wes Willemse slotted two penalties and
Matthew Willemse kicked a conversion and a penalty.
After the Vikings opened the scoring in the sixth minute, TWU responded with three tries in 18 minutes, with Westerlund, Graham and Gandolfo scoring to take a 15-5 lead into halftime.
Wes Willemse kicked a penalty early in the second half to push the Spartans advantage to 18-5 before the visitors struck back with two converted tries in six minutes to sneak ahead 19-18 with half an hour to play.
However, a second penalty off the boot of Wes Willemse put TWU ahead for good in the 53rd minute.
Howlett scored in the 62nd minute before
Matthew Willemse sealed the win with a try and a penalty in the last 10 minutes of the contest.
The Spartans Future XVs side beat Western Washington's 2nd XV 90-10 in a contest played immediately after the 1st XV game.
SCORING SUMMARY
6' – WWU Try – 5-0 WWU
22' – TWU Try (
Maeson Westerlund) – 5-5 TWU
35' – TWU Try (
Caleb Graham) – 10-5 TWU
40' – TWU Try (
Genaro Gandolfo) – 15-5 TWU
43' – TWU Penalty (Wes Willemse) – 18-5 TWU
44' – WWU Try, Conversion – 18-12 TWU
50' – WWU Try, Conversion – 19-18 WWU
53' – TWU Penalty (Wes Willemse) – 21-19 TWU
62' – TWU Try (
Brady Howlett), Conversion (
Matthew Willemse) – 28-19
72' – TWU Try (
Matthew Willemse) – 33-19
80' – TWU Penalty (
Matthew Willemse) – 36-19
QUOTABLE
Andrew Evans, TWU Head Coach
""It was excellent day of rugby in the stadium and credit to our Spartans who got two wins from a very dangerous Western Washington program on the rise. WWU have been steamrolling their competition in the USA and they were buzzing today.
"Our men have been preparing for adversity and WWU was ferocious at the beginning of the match. Our leaders kept the squad composed and were able to shift the momentum at key times in the game. Genaro and
Caleb Graham in particular both led by word and example, elevating their teammates with them.
"Our scrum and forwards made a massive impact.
Maeson Westerlund stepped up with his first start at loose head prop.
Tim Zimmer was also rock solid.
"Our Future XVs continue to be highly entering and remain undefeated. They will face a tough challenge in Langley 1st XVs next weekend."
UP NEXT
TWU will now prepare for a trip to Phoenix where the Spartans will take on Grand Canyon University Jan. 31.
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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