The women’s soccer team is making their return to the Canada West Final Four after a four-year hiatus, after securing a 3-1 victory over the University of Saskatchewan.
On a cold Halloween afternoon, the stands at Hillside Stadium filled up with WolfPack fans who were there to support the women’s team. Less than a minute into play, the ‘Pack had their first scoring chance off a corner. Hannah Saxon sent the ball towards the net off the back post, but the Huskies netminder kept the slate clean.
In just the ninth minute, the Huskies would break open the scoring when a ball was shot on Floor Ursem and took an unlucky bounce off her gloves to roll into the net.
Only two minutes later, the WolfPack would bounce back with a goal of their own. Esi Lufo sent the ball towards the net, which found second-year winger Sara Kuusimaki, who finished the play off by slipping the ball past the Huskies’ Goalie to make it tied.
The WolfPack carried the momentum of the goal into the next seven minutes, when they would eventually score again to take the lead. The ball was sent into a crowded box, where it found Lufo. She was able to defend the ball, turn and send it along the ground to make the score 2-1. The stands roared with cheers for the ‘Pack.
The WolfPack continued to apply pressure on the Huskies and had control of most of the half. They earned multiple corner kicks, but unfortunately were shut down in the box by Saskatchewan. The Huskies snuck a ball past Ursem in the 24th minute of play; however, it was called, and the ‘Pack kept their lead.
In the last minute of play in the first half, Ursem would face off against a solo Husky, but the WolfPack’s netminder showed off why she’s been a star this season and shut the ball down. With a lead by one at the half, Tru was also leading In shots on net, 10-4.
In the second half, the Huskies controlled the first 15 minutes of the game, but still couldn’t get the ball past Ursem.
It wasn’t until the 81st minute that another goal was scored. Lufo earned a free kick just outside the box, a beautiful bending shot made its way to the back of the net, making it 3-1 for the WolfPack.
“The composure and quality Lufo showed for that little over the head bicycle kick is top class,” Head coach Mark Pennington said via WolfPack press relase. “Then to stick the free-kick in the top corner – I’ll give her credit, she was out here all week practicing free kicks and it’s great when that hard work pays off.”
With the win, TRU secures its spot in the Canada West Final Four and will take on BC Division rival Victoria next weekend in Vancouver.