LANGLEY, British Columbia – Trinity Western fifth-year forward
Sophie Crowther (New Westminster, B.C.) tied two Spartans single-game records with one goal and four assists, powering TWU to a 6-0 victory over the UBC Okanagan Heat Friday night at Nonis Sports Field in Kelowna, B.C. Crowther's five-point performance tied the TWU record for points in a match, while her four assists matched the program record she already shared. The victory improves the Spartans to 5-2-2, while the Heat fall to 0-5-2.
The Spartans' goals came from an own goal ('32), fifth-year defender
Danielle Cooper (Surrey, B.C.) ('40), fourth-year forward
Mansha Sidhu (Surrey, B.C.) ('50), fourth-year forward
Luciana Andrews (Coquitlam, B.C.) ('51), Crowther ('78) and second-year defender
Clara Chudley (Victoria, B.C.) ('81).
TWU fourth-year goalkeeper
Yasmine Pahal (Surrey, B.C.) made one save to earn the shutout and her 23rd career Canada West victory, the third-most in Spartans history. UBC Okanagan goalkeeper Kat McCleary made three saves in the loss.
QUOTABLE
Graham Roxburgh, TWU Head Coach
"Obviously, tonight was a really good night for our team, not only to play well but to generate lots of offensive chances against a really tricky opposition. I was really impressed with Sophie's desire to drive and create and we had lots of really good finishes. Also really pleased that we had a young lineup for a lot of the second half and they showed me that the future is gonna be really bright."
UP NEXT
The Spartans will now head home to take on the Thompson Rivers WolfPack on Saturday, October 3 at Chase Office Field in Langley, B.C. Match time is set for 5 p.m. (PT) and can be seen live on Canada West TV.
AS IT HAPPENED
The Spartans opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when Sidhu carried the ball down the left side and sent it into the centre of the UBC Okanagan penalty area. In an attempt to clear the cross, a Heat defender redirected the ball into the UBCO net to give TWU a 1-0 lead. Cooper doubled the Spartans' advantage in the 40th minute, one-timing Crowther's corner kick past McCleary and into the top of the net for her first goal of the season. TWU outshot UBC Okanagan 8-3 overall and 4-1 in shots on goal during the opening half.
The Spartans broke the match open with two goals in the opening six minutes of the second half. Crowther sent Sidhu in alone on the UBC Okanagan goal in the 50th minute, and Sidhu hammered the ball into the back of the net for her team-leading fifth goal of the season. Less than two minutes later, Crowther delivered a cross from the right side to Andrews, who collected the ball just outside the six-yard box and quickly finished to give TWU a 4-0 lead. Crowther added a goal of her own in the 78th minute. After receiving a pass from first-year midfielder
Bella Martins (London, Ont.) at the top of the penalty area, Crowther took a pair of touches before ripping a shot into the top of the Heat net. Crowther completed her career-high-tying four-assist performance in the 81st minute, finding Chudley for a header that gave the Spartans their sixth goal of the match. TWU held a 6-2 advantage in second-half shots and put all five of its shots on target while holding the Heat without a shot on goal.
NOTABLE
- The Spartans outshot the Heat 14-5 overall and 9-1 in shots on goal.
- TWU finished with a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.
- The Spartans improved to 18-0-1 all-time against UBC Okanagan and 16-0-1 in Canada West conference play.
- TWU has won 16 consecutive matches against the Heat, dating back to September 25, 2016.
- The Spartans defeated UBC Okanagan 4-1 in Kelowna on September 25 before falling 2-0 at No. 1 UBC the following night.
- UBC Okanagan followed its September 25 loss to TWU with a 0-0 draw against Victoria.
- Crowther now has 36 career Canada West assists, ranking second in conference history. She trails only former Spartan Seina Kashima ('18), who holds the record with 40.
- Crowther's four assists tied both her career high and the TWU single-game record. Four assists are tied for the second-most in a match in Canada West history.
- Crowther's five points tied the TWU single-game record established by Daniela Gerig, who scored five goals in a 9-0 victory over Regina on September 26, 2008. Five points are tied for the eighth-most in a game in Canada West history.
- Crowther now has 56 career Canada West points, tying her for sixth in conference history and second in TWU history with Krista Gommeringer ('16). Kashima holds the Spartans record with 58.
- Crowther's two shots on goal gave her 108 for her Canada West career, moving her past Kashima's previous TWU record of 107. Crowther now ranks ninth in Canada West history.
- Pahal's victory was the 23rd of her Canada West career, ranking third in TWU history behind Kristen Funk (43) and Hannah Miller (39).
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 15 U SPORTS team championships and 35 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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