VANCOUVER, British Columbia – An early goal by the UBC Thunderbirds proved to be the difference as the Thunderbirds won their home opener, defeating the Trinity Western Spartans 1-0 Wednesday night at Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver, B.C. The loss drops the Spartans to 1-2-1, while the win improves the Thunderbirds, who have yet to give up a goal, to 3-0-0.
UBC's Yuan Yu-Hsuan scored the lone goal of the match in the fourth minute. His shot from outside the left side of the Spartans' penalty area went into the six-yard box and was deflected off a Spartan defender and into the TWU net to put UBC up 1-0. The half ended with UBC up 1-0.
The Spartans' fifth-year forward
Xander Roxburgh (Langley, B.C.) and fifth-year forward
Jordan Low (Port Moody, B.C.) had quality chances in the second half, but were unable to find the back of the Thunderbirds' net, as UBC prevailed for the one-goal win.
First-year
Jakob Frank (Delta, B.C.) played the full ninety and made three saves in the Spartans' loss. UBC's Roko Vukic (Burnaby, B.C.) made four saves in the Thunderbirds' shutout win.
UP NEXT
TWU will now head back home to take on the Fraser Valley Cascades on Friday, September 4. The match is set for 7:15 p.m. at Chase Office Field and will stream live on Canada West TV.
QUOTABLE
Mike Shearon, TWU Head Coach
"Obviously we were hoping to get more out of the game tonight than a one-nil loss, but honestly, I've never been happier in a losing effort. We asked the players to be bold tonight. We asked the players to play hard for Justin. If it wasn't for a slight tactical error in the first couple minutes, maybe we get something else out of the game. UBC had a bunch of chances in the first half to really put us away, and the boys really stood strong back there, and it's a bit unfortunate to not score again tonight. In the second half, I thought we played well, and it was one of the better performances that we've had here at Thunderbird Stadium, I thought, in the second half. Just really, really happy with the performance tonight, and I guess as happy as you can be in a losing effort. But once again, just really proud of the players tonight and the whole program, just how they've come together and played today."
NOTABLE
- The Thunderbirds outshot the Spartans 16-6 in total shots, with both teams having four shots on goal.
- UBC had a 13-3 edge in corner kicks.
- Last Friday night the Spartans lost to the Thunderbirds 3-0 at Chase Office Field in Langley, B.C.
- TWU was ranked No. 7 in the Canada West preseason coaches' poll, while UBC was ranked No. 1.
- The Spartans are now 12-32-15 lifetime against the Thunderbirds, and 8-27-15 in Canada West Conference play.
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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