A trip to Prince George was good for one Spartans soccer team, but not for the other.
The Trinity Western Spartans women’s soccer team — ranked No. 1 in Canada — improved to 7-0-1 on the season after winning 2-0 and 4-1 over the UNBC Timberwolves over the weekend.
The Spartan men were not as successful, losing 5-3 and 1-0.
In the first game on Saturday afternoon, Alessandra Oliverio and Krista Gommeringer scored second-half goals while Christina Oliverio stopped all three UNBC shots on goal.
Sunday’s contest saw the teams tied at one at the half before Gommeringer, Isabella Di Trocchio and Vanessa Wiebe struck for second-half goals. Jenna Di Nunzio had opened the scoring for the Langley visitors.
The Spartans fired 30 shots at the UNBC net, with 18 hitting the target.
“It is a good corporate win and overall I’m quite pleased with the result. Credit to UNBC they made the game tricky when they scored to equalize. Our midfield was excellent in the first half in their ability to possess and control the ball, but we just got sloppy and casual which resulted in their goal,” commented TWU head coach Graham Roxburgh. “At half time we challenged them to play with more urgency, which I’m pleased that they did, but we are going to need to be better.”
“Gommeringer continues to show why she is so good. Her ability to create chances and generate opportunities for us is superb, but couple that with her work rate makes her awesome,” added Roxburgh.
The Spartans face a big test this weekend as they host the UVic Vikes on Friday at Rogers Field and the UBC Thunderbirds on Saturday.
The Vikes are tied with TWU at 7-0-1 for top spot in the Canada West Pacific Division.
The Trinity Western men’s team will also host UVic and UBC this weekend as the Spartans look to get back in the win column and improve their 3-4-1 conference record.
“Today was one of those games where we completely dominated play, but didn’t get any value in front of the net,” commented coach Pat Rohla, following Sunday’s defeat.
“Our first half was one of our best of the year and we can be happy with our performance, but it was one of those situations where if you don’t finish, you don’t win.”
UNBC keeper Ty Venhola made 15 saves to secure the win with the lone goal coming in the 86th minute.
The previous game saw goals come at a rapid pace with the teams tied at three after the 59th minute.
Dominic Reinold and Jarvis Ambaka had the first and third goals, respectively, while the second was an own-goal of a Kalem Scott shot which a UNBC deflected into the net.
The Timberwolves would score twice in less than three minutes to take the lead for good.