The Trinity Western Spartans women鈥檚 soccer team improved to 2-1 in pre-season play thanks to a 2-0 victory on Sunday in Portland against the Concordia Cavaliers.

鈥淏oth teams played hard; all credit to our players who battled and got over a slow start and were able to pull out the win,鈥� said Spartans coach Graham Roxburgh.

鈥淚 was really encouraged by our ability to get the ball on the ground, (our poise) and ability to pass and create opportunities.鈥�

Nikki Wright opened the scoring in the 43rd minute and Sarah-Kim Bergeron doubled the lead with a goal in the dying minutes.

鈥淭here were a number of quality individual performances and the decision making and coverage by our back four was fantastic,鈥� Roxburgh said.

鈥淚t was a good team win and (I am) pleased that it is another good step as we prepare for the season.鈥�

The Spartans finish the pre-season with a scrimmage against UBC-Okanagan Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. and then play a non-conference match against McGill on Friday at 6 p.m.

Both games are at Trinity Western University.

The team opens the Canada West regular season on Sept. 10.