Semi-Final Win For TWU

Some might call it a “fair-weather” sport but for those who play especially in BC – it’s a year round sport and not for the faint of heart.

Champions are won and not counted by the overall final score on the clock, but in this case TWU hosted Cape Breton and bounced them from any further competition moving forward.

In a hard fought game the Trinity Western Spartans punched their ticket to the 2015 CIS women’s soccer championship semifinals after defeating Cape Breton Capers 2-0.

The matches were held at UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium and Jenaya Robertson let her presence be known as she was all over the pitch.

Played on a soggy day in the lower mainland she  quick game-opening goal set the tone for  the contest and the play over the length of the match.

Goalkeeper for TWU Ally Williamson played exceptional earning a clean sheet with her three-save performance in the match to the pleasure of her Head Coach.

Graham Roxburgh (TWU bench boss) credited both his side as well as the visiting club Cape Breton with exceptional defensive performances, clearly indicating two impressive goals proved to be the difference in the match.

Ironically it was a pair of rookies that combined to open the scoring just six minutes into the contest.

Rachel Hutchinson (2015 CIS Rookie of the Year) made a terrific run down the right flank and delivered an impressive cross pass to the far post.

Robertson who is only a freshman, managed four goals for the Spartans was in the area and stretched out somehow managing to deflect it past Capers “keeper” Lysianne Trottier.

Cape Breton had one of their best chances in minute 31 as a free kick from first-year midfielder Ciera Disipio was sent over the net.

The 56^th minute saw TWU’s mid-fielder Vanessa Kovacs come within inches of doubling the Spartans’ lead, in addition to a corner kick from Krista Gommeringer.

This kick found its way into a crowded Cape Breton 18-yard box, but for Kovacs it was a narrow miss of the ball.

Minute 67 saw the Spartans get the insurance goal after a couple of quick passes found fourth-year forward Isabella di Trocchio, who hammered a rocket from a distance out, narrowly placing it just under the bar over Trottier’s outstretched hands.

The Cape Breton keeper did well to challenge and forced Gommeringer into a shot that went high and wide.

The Capers pressed late, earning a few set pieces with some smart plays, but neither a free kick nor several corners resulted in anything getting behind Williamson, the UBC transfer.

For Cape Breton head coach Stephen Timmons, the loss doesn’t dampen what his team did well, both all season and today.

The win will see the Spartans square off against the reigning champion Laval Rouge et Or in the first of two semi-final matches on Saturday – kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. PST.

TWU and Laval have won the previous three CIS championships and the two teams squared off in the tournament final last season in Quebec City.

This match saw the Rouge et Or winning 5-0, but  since 2004 the Spartans have won five national titles.