In the lead-up to the women’s WolfPack soccer team’s final two games, one of which would determine their future for the postseason, the ‘Pack went all out in October, scoring one win, one loss, and one tie. Ultimately, the team could not secure a spot in the playoffs despite going all-out in some hard-fought battles.
WSOC Senior Night Ends with a Heartbreak Last-Minute Loss to UBCO
On Oct. 11, the WolfPack women’s soccer team lost to UBC Okanagan Heat, 3-2, in the last minutes of the game. The loss took place on Senior Night when the WolfPack celebrated the contributions of five graduating players: Cassandra De Amaral, Ainsley Grether, Jessye Large, Caylah Lemon and Raiya Rumo. They all suited up for their last regular season home game at Hillside Stadium.
TRU started the game with intensity, creating multiple early chances. Both Julia La Rotta and Berea Woldeyes had attempts on net, but it was UBCO who opened the scoring just before halftime. With only a minute left in the first half, Annika Gross found the net after a pass from Abigail Taneda, giving the Heat a 1-0 lead going into the break.
The WolfPack responded swiftly after halftime, continuing their high-energy play. Their persistence was rewarded in the 52nd minute when Bella Geremia equalized with a goal assisted by Woldeyes. Just a few minutes later, TRU took the lead when captain Ainsley Grether found the back of the net following a through ball from Jocelyn Orr. The 2-1 lead gave the home crowd hope, as the ‘Pack appeared to be on their way to a crucial victory.
Heat refused to back down. In the 78th minute, Megan Sun levelled the score at 2-2, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. TRU goalkeeper Cassandra De Amaral made a spectacular triple-save to keep the game tied as it headed towards extra time. But disaster struck in the final moments when the referee awarded a penalty to the Heat after a TRU defender was judged to have pulled down Sun in the box. Sun calmly converted the penalty, securing a 3-2 victory for UBCO.
The loss is a tough blow for TRU’s playoff chances. With just two games remaining in the season, the WolfPack sits at 4-6-2, five points behind the 6-5-1 UBCO Heat, who occupy the final playoff spot.
WolfPack Conquers the Spartans: A Historic First Victory
Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s soccer team made history on Oct. 5 in Langley, earning their first-ever win against Trinity Western the program’s history. Rookie Juli La Rotta tallied her third goal of the season with the assist of Berea Woldeyes. Goalie Cassandra De Amaral had seven saves at the shutout securing the win.
Although the halftime score remained 0-0, both teams made an effort to shoot on goal. The ‘Pack’s best chance came in the 22nd minute, when midfielder Jocelyn Orr unleashed a powerful long-range shot, only to be denied by TWU keeper Yasmine Pahal. De Amaral made a sequence of saves in the 35th minute, stopping Sidney Giesbrecht, Charity Field, and Payton Izsak.
At the 70-minute mark, after Jessye Large forced a turnover deep in Spartans’ territory, Woldeyes and Kat Stewart executed a clever give-and-go before Woldeyes found La Rotta with a cutting pass. The rookie took a touch to her left foot and fired a shot into the top corner for the game’s lone goal.
With the Spartans pushing for a late equalizer, De Amaral remained rock-solid in the net, supported by defensive efforts from Alexis Virgo, Raiya Rumo, Bella Geremia, and Paige Dwane, all of whom played a key role in preserving the shutout.
WolfPack draws a tie against the UFV Cascades
On Oct. 4, the women’s soccer team was in Abbotsford to face the UFV Cascades in a gripping game that ended in a 2-2 draw. Although TRU led twice with goals from Esi Lufo and Kat Stewart. Unfortunately for the ‘Pack, UFV’s Jasdeep Dhaliwal equalized both times, scoring off Camryn Lyon’s corner kicks.
The first Wolfpack goal occurred 33 minutes [into the first period] with a strong goal from Lufo. Pressing forward during a set piece, the WolfPack persisted, and although the Cascades initially cleared the ball, Alexis Virgo quickly sent it back into the box, allowing Lufo to capitalize on the opportunity, looping a header over the out-of-position goalkeeper.
The game remained 1-0 until the 67th minute when UFV equalized. After sustained pressure, Camryn Lyon sent in a perfect corner kick, which Jasdeep Dhaliwal met with a powerful header to level the score.
TRU fought back with just 10 minutes remaining, as Stewart took advantage of a defensive miscue. A through ball to Juli La Rotta was stopped by the Cascades’ goalie, but the clearance ricocheted off Stewart and into the net, putting the WolfPack ahead 2-1.
Later Cascades’ Lyon and Dhaliwal capitalized on the opportunity and scored the game-tying goal from Lyon to Dhaliwal.