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No. 1 Spartans remain perfect with comeback over Bisons
by
Scott Stewart, TWU Sports Info
Archive photo courtesy TWU Athletics: Daniela Gerig scored the
match-winner and added an assist in Sunday's big road win over
Manitoba
WINNIPEG - On the back of forward Daniela Gerig's (Fort Langley,
B.C.) goal in the 77th minute the No. 1 Trinity Western women's
soccer team remained perfect with a come from behind 2-1 victory
over the No. 8 Manitoba Bisons Sunday afternoon in Winnipeg.
The win moves the Spartans into sole first place in Canada West at
6-0-0, while the loss drops the Bisons into second place at
5-2-1.
TWU-Manitoba women's soccer boxscore
"Manitoba was excellent today they made it very tough for us to get
any open space or create any sustained attack. All credit to them
they were probably the better team in the first half. But we came
out with more urgency and composure in the second half," commented
TWU head Coach Graham Roxburgh. "Full credit to our players it was
a hard fought win that could have gone either way and I'm delighted
that we came away with a hard fought road win."
The Bisons were solid in the opening half as they stymied the
strong Spartan attack and did not allow any shots on Bison keeper
Ashley Forbes. Meanwhile on the offensive end they were a constant
threat with four shots and two corner kicks. Manitoba was rewarded
for their efforts in the sixth minute when Jaime Lacoste converted
a pass from Desiree Scott to give the home team the early 1-0
lead.
Trailing to the Bisons 1-0 at the half the Spartans got things
sorted out in the second half. On strong play from 2008 Canada West
Player of the Year Nikki Wright (Cloverdale, B.C.) the Spartans
were able to control the centre of the park and limit the Bison
possession in the offensive end as TWU outshot the home team seven
to four in the final 45 minutes. "Nikki did a lot of tireless work
in the second half and did the little things that allow a team to
be successful," said Roxburgh on his All-Canadian
forward.
As the half progressed the Spartans were able to turn the flow
against the Bisons and eventually got the tying goal in the 60th
minute.
TWU rookie forward Alicia Tesan (Vancouver) got the tying goal
after Gerig, who had received a forward ball from Melissa Mobilio
(Coquitlam, B.C.), beat the Manitoba defender to the outside of the
box where she squared the ball to Tesan. Tesan then one timed the
ball from about eight yards out past Manitoba's Forbes.
The Spartans took the lead on Gerig's goal with 13 minutes
remaining. Natalie Boyd (Surrey, B.C.) hit a diagonal ball to
Gerig, who got in behind the Manitoba back line, where she settled
the ball and finished it very tidily to give the Spartans the 2-1
lead. "What can you say about Daniela she has been a work horse for
us, to finish the way she did and send us home with full points was
excellent," commented Roxburgh.
The Spartans keeper Kristen Funk (Calgary) was solid in net for
Trinity Western as she made five saves to earn the win, while The
Bisons Ashley Forbes made two saves in the loss.
There is no rest for the top ranked Spartans as they return home to
host the No. 5 University of Victoria on Fri., Oct. 9 and the
University of the Fraser Valley on Sat., Oct. 10. Match time on
both nights is set for 5 p.m. In the Spartans last 15 matches the
Vikes are the only team to have beaten TWU, which was a 1-0 win in
the CW final. TWU would go on to beat Victoria 1-0 in the CIS
semifinal.
Match Notes
The Bisons goal in the sixth minute breaks the Spartans shutout
streak at 224 minutes... the Spartans, who have played five of
their first six games on the road will now have the luxury of six
straight home matches at TWU? TWU is now 5-2-0 lifetime against the
Bisons, who entered Canada West play in 2005... dating back to last
season the Spartans have run their unbeaten-untied streak to nine
games in CW and CIS play and 10 games in CW conference play
