TWU plays UBC to 1-1 draw
The Spartans men`s soccer team kicked off their third game of the season under the lights with a big rivalry game against the University of British Colombia. Fans came out in force and filled the stands to create an atmosphere of palpable excitement in anticipation of the game. UBC came in as the heavy favourites ranked second in the CIS top 10 and carrying the swagger of a true national championship contender. The game started slow with both teams being cautious and trying to feel each other out. UBC found a groove and was able to control the ball for most of the first half but generated few scoring chances, which made for a controversial play at the 16 minute mark.
Photo: Scott Stewart
UBC’s forward Navid Mashinchi looked well offside but no call was made. Mashinchi raced toward the net but was cut off by the Trinity Western University defence before he could get a good shot. UBC’s ensuing corner kick did not get through and was cleared. The game began to get a physical, which was to be expected between two inter-provincial rivals (see four yellow cards and 21 fouls). Jason Gill of UBC committed a hard foul, tripping a TWU player from behind and drew a yellow card. The Spartans were unable to capitalize on the free kick but the foul seemed to spark TWU. They began to possess the ball consistently and broke through two minutes after the foul. James Fahrenhost sent a lofty pass from just inside the half line into the air which landed on the head of Spartans forward Spencer Schmidt, who used his noggin to lift the ball over UBC goal-keeper Matt Robinson.
UBC had a tremendous opportunity to tie the game shortly thereafter. TWU’s Jordan Whitehead was booked for a yellow card, due to a foul, setting up a free kick for UBC just outside the box. The UBC free kick from Tyson Keam turned into an incredible shot that sailed over the Spartans` defensive wall and curved past goal-keeper Andrew Fink, but hit the cross bar. The Spartans were able to dodge this bullet and cleared the ball. UBC followed up that opportunity a few minutes later with a shot into the box that deflected multiple times passed Fink and just barely wide.
The whistle for Halftime came at a good time for the Spartans who were on the heels for most of the first half, despite having the lead. The second half began with both teams playing carefully until the 57 minute mark. TWU forward Garrett Peters sped past a UBC defender to set up a corner kick for the Spartans. Mitchell Rohla was able to kick the ball deep into the box but the Spartans were unable to deflect the ball past Matt Robinson.
After UBC got an open shot that sailed wide to the right, the Spartans were able to reverse the pressure and controlled possession of the ball for nearly 10 minutes. Then disaster struck. Gregory Smith of the Thunderbirds sent a crossing pass into the TWU box which went off a Spartan defender and over the head of Jason Gill. Allowing the tying goal woke up the Spartans as they controlled the ball for much of the last 12 minutes and added time, but were unable to generate quality scoring chances. In the end the Spartans were plagued by an inability to close games that killed their last season and also cost them the Canada West opener against Fraser Valley.
The Spartans should be encouraged by their effort. Despite only being credited with one shot on goal, TWU was competitive with the second best team in Canada and had them reeling at times. This team is still a work in progress with a lot of hard work ahead of them but they gave plenty of reason to believe that the Spartans will return to the Canada West playoffs after missing out last year.
Cameron Stuerle
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