TRU men's soccer squad crowned as national champs (Image credit: CFJC)

By Connor Gunn

NATIONAL CHAMPS

WolfPack wins national championship for first time in program history on home turf

Nov 13, 2022 | 6:34 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Men’s Soccer Team has been crowned as national champions after a thrilling 2-1 shootout win over the UBC Thunderbirds Sunday (November 13).

For the first time in program history, the TRU men’s team won the USports National Championship and was able to share the special moment on their home field.

In exciting fashion yet again, the game came down to penalty kicks after there was no winner following the 90 minutes of regular time and the 30 minutes of extras.

As WolfPack goalie Jackson Gardner sprawled out for a miraculous save on UBC’s final shooter, TRU had a chance to capture gold.

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Kamloops hometown kid Domenico Comita stepped up to the shot as the final TRU shooter and made no mistake hitting nothing but twine crowning the WolfPack as national champs.

“It’s just absolutely incredible. Five years ago I was a ballboy at this national championship when we hosted last time and now actually being a part of the team, being able to come on and score a penalty it’s absolutely incredible,” Comita says.

This was the third game in a row for TRU that needed penalty kicks to decide the game and Gardner had the tough task of making stop after stop to win.

Gardner says he was in disbelief and credits the ‘Pack for their perseverance throughout the weekend.

“I can’t describe it, I have tears coming to my eyes, it feels surreal it’s a huge moment.”

“Full credit to the guys for the way we performed this weekend the way we rallied as a team for the community to show that not only do we belong here but we deserve to have the gold medal around our necks,” Gardner adds.

The WolfPack Men’s Soccer team can sleep soundly knowing they have done something no other squad in the history of the TRU men’s soccer program has done.