EDMONTON, Alberta – The Trinity Western Spartans were unable to find the back of the Alberta net Saturday afternoon as the Spartans fell 2-0 to the Golden Bears at Foote Field in Edmonton, Alberta. The loss drops the Spartans to 3-5-1, while the win improves the Golden Bears to 4-2-1.
Scoring for the Golden Bears was Caden Ruby ('10), Josh Belbin ('66)
First-year goalkeeper
Jakob Frank (Delta, B.C.) made seven saves in the loss, while Alberta goalkeeper Trystan Read made four saves to earn the shutout win.
UP NEXT
The Spartans will head south to Calgary to take on the Calgary Dinos in the final game of the two-match Alberta trip. The match against the Calgary Dinos on Sunday, September 27, is set for 6 p.m. (MT). It can be seen live on Canada West TV.
AS IT HAPPENED
The Golden Bears opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Ruby redirected a cross from Jackson Belbin past a charging Frank to put Alberta up 1-0. Frank made two difficult stops on Alberta's Prince Amanda midway through the opening half to keep TWU's deficit at one goal. The half ended with the Golden Bears up 1-0, with an 8-2 total shot advantage and a 5-1 edge in shots on goal. Alberta also led 4-0 in corner kicks.
Alberta added to their lead in the 66th minute when Josh Belbin's shot squeaked past Frank and into the back of the Spartans' net, making it 2-0 for the Golden Bears. TWU second-year midfielder Joshiah Hogewoning (Langley, B.C.) had a quality opportunity in the 88th minute, but Alberta's Read was up to the task and stopped the difficult shot. Alberta had a 9-6 edge in total shots in the second half and a 4-3 edge in shots on goal.
NOTABLE
- Alberta outshot TWU 17-8 overall and 9-4 in shots on goal.
- The Golden Bears finished with a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.
- Trinity Western is now 16-15-9 lifetime against Alberta and 11-9-9 in conference play.
- Last week at Chase Office Field, the Spartans lost 1-0 to No. 9 Victoria Friday before rebounding for a 1-0 win over UNBC Saturday. Rookie goalkeeper Jakob Frank stopped a penalty kick on the final play to preserve the shutout. TWU enters at 3-4-1.
- Alberta is 3-2-1 after dropping two road matches last week, 1-0 at Lethbridge and 2-0 at Calgary. The Golden Bears had opened conference play with three wins and a draw.
- The Spartans' last win in Edmonton was 3-2 in the Canada West semifinal on November 3, 2017.
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 and field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes independently in men's rugby and women's and men's disc golf. Since joining 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 and holds three Canada Research Chairs. Through its whole-person, Christ-centred approach to education, TWU offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and adult degree-completion programs that equip leaders of character and competence to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
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