LANGLEY, British Columbia – The Trinity Western Spartans got their second win in a row and third win of the preseason with a 2-1 win over the visiting Calgary Dinos in a preseason non-conference match Tuesday afternoon at Chase Office Field in Langley, B.C.
The win improves the Spartans to 3-2-0 in preseason play.
TWU fourth-year keeper Yamine Pahal (Surrey, B.C.) played the opening 67 minutes for the Spartans, while first-year
Irelyn Binnendyk (Abbotsford, B.C.) played for the final 23 minutes in the second half to earn the win. Calgary goalkeeper Cheridan Johnson opened the match in net for the visiting Dinos and played the first 45 minutes, while Nicki Filek played the second half for Calgary.
For the second game in a row, TWU fourth-year forward
Lianna Holz (Richmond, B.C.) got the Spartans off to a quick start, scoring the lone goal of the opening half when she converted a cross from fifth-year forward
Destiny Omari (Paris, Ont.) in the fourth minute of play.
TWU finished the opening half with the 1-0 lead.
Calgary's Danica Pullishy got the equalizer for the Dinos in the 85th minute when she redirected a free kick by Elaina Tetteh-Wayoe to tie the match at 1-1.
The Spartans' fourth-year defender
Jenna Rizzo (Surrey, B.C.) got the game-winner in the 89th minute when she converted a cross from rookie forward
Emmalise Ekunwe (Chilliwack, B.C.), who had stolen the ball off the Calgary left back. Rizzo took the ball near the far post and sent it just inside the near post to put TWU up 2-1 in the final minute.
The Spartans are now 22-9-7 lifetime against the Dinos.
QUOTABLE
Graham Roxburgh, TWU Head Coach
"I think in preseason, there's always disjointedness, and it felt that way, although I thought we started with way more purpose today. ?Credit for our second goal, because we talked about winning it back aggressively higher up the park. We're still missing one or two of what I would call our more offensive threats, and new players playing new roles. Our possession is getting better, but at times we're guilty of being a little frantic with possession. And there are a lot of new players who are just learning to be confident at this level. Pleased that we won because we probably had almost an all-rookie team out there in the last 15-20 minutes, other than maybe one third-year, but, overall, preseason's about getting lots of minutes and experience and just seeing who's ready to take the next step."?
"I think when players who have been starters have to obviously get their rest, they can't play every minute this early. And I thought Gabby Redikoff (5-year, forward, Okotoks, AB) was a real difference-maker today with her energy. I'm so pleased that her willingness to close down space and get into a tackle actually led to a score in the second goal. So great a performance from her."?
UP NEXT
TWU will now host the Simon Fraser Red Leafs in a preseason matchup, Thursday evening at 7 p.m. (PT) at Chase Office Field. The Spartans open Canada West conference play on Friday, September 4, when they will host the Fraser Valley Cascades.
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.
-TW-
