The TRU WolfPack Women’s soccer team had a strong weekend during the first week of the month, picking up two wins on their doubleheader weekend at home, first, taking on the UFV Cascades on Friday, Sept. 5, followed by a game against the nationally ranked TWU Spartans on Saturday, Sept.6.
On Friday, the women stepped onto the field to take on the Cascades, who came into the game with a 2-2 record. The first scoring chance of the game came at the 20-minute mark when UFV was able to fire a long-range shot on net, but Floor Ursem, the WolfPack’s first-year goalie, was able to make a diving stop to keep the game scoreless. TRU’s best opportunity to score came around the 30 minutes into the first half, when Esi Lufo found herself alone in the 18-yard box, but was met with TWU’s goalie shutting down her chance. The first half ended 0-0.
The WolfPack returned after halftime to dominate the game. The first goal of the game came 10 minutes into the second half when Alexis Virgo sent a long ball into the box, where Kat Stewart scored on an acrobatic strike over her shoulder to give the ‘Pack a 1-0 lead. Just minutes later, Stewart set up Mackenzie Lalonde off a corner kick for the WolfPack to extend their lead 2-0. While TWU did their best to catch up, TRU controlled the game and limited them to just one shot on net for the rest of the game. The WolfPack outshot UFV 14-5 and won the game 2-0. Friday’s shutout was Ursem’s third in just five games, which already puts the Dutch netminder second in program history for shutouts in a Canada West season.
On Saturday night, the ‘Pack set out to add to their win streak by taking on the No. 5 nationally ranked TWU Spartans. TRU struck early when Lufo was able to add the ‘Pack’s first points to the board and give them a quick lead just five minutes into the game. Luciana Andrews had a powerful header off a corner kick that was just inches from becoming a goal, but unfortunately, it met with the crossbar and was reflected.
TWU continued to apply pressure to the ‘Pack in the second half, but with strong saves from Ursem, the Pack was able to maintain its lead in the game. With nine minutes left in the game, the insurance goal came from Lufo, when she broke through a defender and fired a 25-yard strike that went off the post and in to increase the ‘Pack lead to 2-0. However, during the last minute of stoppage time of the match, TWU was awarded a free kick. Sophie Crowth played the ball to the back-post, where Holland Stiel delivered a powerful shot into the back of the net to break up the WolfPack’s shutout. Still, the WolfPack held onto their 2-1 win to have a six-point weekend to raise them in the standings.
“TWU is ranked number five in the country and deservedly so. We’ve not only gone toe-to-toe with them but were good value for the win.” Said WolfPack’s head coach Mark Pennington via press release from the ‘Pack. “We bent a bit in the second half, but we didn’t break. I couldn’t be more proud of the girls and the effort and energy they’ve put in all weekend, but especially today, it was top class.”