Gold!
Pogue and Perugini add hardware as Spartans take Canada West Gold
November 21, 2007
William Doberstein
The home field stands were packed to see their Trinity Western University Spartans in both of their Canada West Playoff matches. On November 2, the Spartans took on the fourth seed University of Alberta Golden Bears, before meeting the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds in the Canada West final.
Although they were the CIS defending champions, the Golden Bears had no chance against the tough Spartans team this time around. Starting off the scoring for TWU was Nathan Pogue, who scored within the first 10 minutes off a corner kick from Adrian Kekec. Pogue later added to the score by notching two more goals at the 44 and 68 minute marks of play.
Despite a few good chances, Alberta was unable to solve the Spartan defense. At the end of the game, Alberta had only registered one shot on the Spartan goal, and in turn lost the match 3-0. With the win, the Spartans were promised a position in the National Championships at the UBC.
On Saturday, November 3, the Spartans took the field to meet the UBC Thunderbirds for the Canada West gold medal match. Aside from the gold medal, this game was a preview of a potential CIS matchup, and both teams wanted to be able to go into any future meeting on top.
Solid defense and smart offence summed up this one, with neither team wanting to make a mistake. Finally after 22 minutes of play, Adrian Kekec was able to hit the netting, bringing an ecstatic Spartans team into the lead. However their lead was short-lived with the Thunderbirds responding late in the first half, thanks to a goal by Jorge Angel-Mira.
The second half of the game had a fair amount of chances but ended without any scoring. Apprehension and hope governed the lines of the Spartan faithful as the game progressed into overtime. With their fans cheering and chanting, the Spartans fought hard, and just over six minutes in Nathan Pogue was able to beat the UBC keeper off a pass from Adrian Kekec. Celebrations from fans and players alike showed that although the Spartans still had more than 20 minutes to play, to the fans the Spartans had won. And the Spartans did win.
With the 2-1 win, the men’s soccer team won the Canada West Gold for the third time in the Spartan’s seven year history in the Canada West Division. Nathan Pogue received tournament MVP with his four goals in two games, finishing his season with a grand total of 14. TWU’s Nicola Perugini was named the Canada West player of the year for his leadership and tremendous overall accomplishments this season.
Now you go...
Got something to say?