91原创鈥檚 Hannah Miller was unbeatable, making two outstanding saves to lead the Trinity Western University (TWU) Spartans women鈥檚 soccer squad to a 3-0 win over the UFV Cascades Friday night, Oct. 17, at TWU鈥檚 Chase Office Field.
Miller played the full 90 minutes.
TWU second year midfielder Sierra Halldorson opened the scoring in the 25th minute to give the Spartans a 1-0 half time lead.
UFV had a great chance to equalize late in the half, as rookie Jasdeep Dhaliwal dashed in from the left and squared the ball to Sarah Parker, but her rising shot was tipped over the bar by Miller.
Miller was challenged again early in the second half when UFV鈥檚 Jenna Mele slipped a pass to Simi Lehal, who turned and fired, but the TWU goalkeeper dove to her right to get a palm on the ball and push it outside the post. Off the ensuing corner, the ball came to Brittany Costa at the left edge of the box, and her blast went over the outstretched fingertips of a leaping Miller but just over the bar.
Fourth year forward Katheryn Harvey made it 2-0 in the 65th minute before fifth year defender Elizabeth Hicks closed out the scoring five minutes later.
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TWU Head Coach Graham Roxburgh was 鈥渟uper pleased鈥� with the team performance.
鈥淲e defended really well and generated lots of chances,鈥� Roxburgh commented.
鈥淚 thought our ball possession was better, even though we can still improve on that. Sierra Halldorson was fantastic as the engine in the midfield, and it was great to get some young kids some minutes. Overall a good game against a good opponent with two good teams just getting back to playing soccer.鈥�
With the Canada West soccer season cancelled due to COVID-19, the Spartans are playing friendly matches against local opponents for the 2020-21 season.
Seven exhibition games are scheduled this fall.
Stands were empty at TWU鈥檚 Chase Office Field on Friday, with no fans admitted.
Niko Marcina, who coached his first game as the Cascades鈥� interim head coach, called it 鈥渂ittersweet.鈥�
鈥淚 think every single player was extremely excited,鈥� Marcina said.
鈥淚 think we were collectively anxious, but we were also loving the fact that we were back together again. It was fantastic that we got to compete. The result is what it is 鈥� we played against a top team in Canada.鈥�
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With the win, the Spartans even up their 2020 non-conference season at 1-1, after dropping a 1-0 match last Friday at UBC.
The Spartans were 3-0 last season in CW conference and post-season play against the Cascades.
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