VICTORIA, British Columbia – Rookie goalkeeper
Jakob Frank (Surrey, B.C.) stopped a second-half penalty kick, and second-year defender
Jackson Van den Brink (Langley, B.C.) scored the game's lone goal as the Trinity Western Spartans upset the nationally ranked No. 9 Victoria Vikes 1-0 Sunday afternoon at Centennial Stadium in Victoria, B.C. The victory improves the Spartans to 2-3-1 and snaps Victoria's five-match Canada West conference winning streak against TWU. With the loss, the Vikes fall to 2-2-0.
Frank made four saves to earn the shutout, while Victoria goalkeeper Callum Weir stopped one of the Spartans' two shots on goal.
QUOTABLE
Mike Shearon, TWU Head Coach
"Exciting victory today. It was good to see our boys fight towards their potential. It was a great team effort today with some very solid individual performances. Jacob Frank made a great save on the PK.
Grant Verhoeven (third-year, midfield, Surrey, B.C.) covered every blade of grass, and
Kieran Eve (fifth-year, midfield, Coquitlam, B.C.) did the same. A great, composed goal by Jackson. Overall, I'm super proud of the team and the effort they put in as we continue to strive to reach our potential. We hope for a few more results this season, and we'll continue to regroup and get ready to go again next week against UVic on Friday night."
UP NEXT
The Spartans will now head back home to Chase Office Field in Langley, B.C., to host the Victoria Vikes on Friday, September 18, and the UNBC Timberwolves on Saturday, September 19, in a repeat of this weekend's road matches. Both matches are scheduled to kick off at 7:15 p.m. (PT) and can be seen live on Canada West TV.
AS IT HAPPENED
Van den Brink gave the Spartans the lead in the 26th minute after fifth-year midfielder
Jordan Low (Port Moody, B.C.) sent him in behind the Victoria defence.
Breaking down the left side with only a charging Weir to beat, Van den Brink bent a low shot around the Vikes goalkeeper and into the far side of the net. The goal was Van den Brink's second of the season.
TWU took its 1-0 advantage into halftime after outshooting Victoria 6-5 through the opening 45 minutes. Each team put one shot on target.
The Vikes were awarded a penalty kick following a TWU handball in the penalty area in the 65th minute. Frank read Connor Legge's attempt and dove to his right to make the save, preserving the Spartans' one-goal lead.
First-year forward
Elijah Bean (Calgary) nearly doubled the advantage in the 73rd minute when he found space in the middle of the Victoria penalty area, but Weir was able to make the save.
Victoria pushed for an equalizer over the closing minutes, forcing Frank to make two more saves, including one in added time, as the Spartans held on for the upset victory.
NOTABLE
- The Vikes outshot the Spartans 11-8 in total shots, and 4-2 in shots on goal
- TWU ended the match with a 4-3 edge in corner kicks.
- TWU was ranked No. 7 in the Canada West preseason coaches' poll, while the Vikes were ranked No. 3.
- The Spartans are now 22-30-4 lifetime against the Vikes, and 21-24-4 in Canada West Conference play.
- TWU's last conference win over Victoria was a 3-1 decision in Victoria on October 14, 2022. Prior to this afternoon's match, the Vikes had won the last five conference matches against TWU.
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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