WolfPack women tie UNBC in ‘playoff style’ soccer match

Oct 22, 2017 | 8:11 AM

KAMLOOPS — They aren’t out but the chances of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s soccer team making the 2017-18 Canada West playoffs are hanging by a thread.

The WolfPack gave up two leads and wound up tying the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves 2-2 on a soggy Hillside Stadium field on Saturday (Oct 21).

The result leaves UNBC with 12 points for sixth place in the Pacific Division. The WolfPack are a point behind with one match left in the regular season.

SYNOPSIS

TRU got goals from Marisa Mendonca and Keenen Degen while Tianna Pius had both markers for UNBC.

TRU will close out the season hosting MacEwan on Sunday while UNBC will visit UBCO.  The Heat beat the Griffins on Saturday 1-0.

KEY STATS:

Goal scoring:

1.      3:00-TRU-Marisa Mendonca (3rd year, forward, Penticton, BC) long shot which evaded UNBC keeper Brooke Molby (1st year, Squamish, BC).   Mendonca’s fifth goal of the year.  TRU 1  UNBC  0

2.      41:38-UNBC-Tianna Pius (5th year, middle, Prince George, BC) capitalizes after a defensive collapse by TRU in front of keeper Dannielle Robertson.  Puis’ second goal of the year assisted by Paige Payne(2nd year,midfield, Kitimat, BC)   UNBC 1  TRU 1

3.      64:05-TRU—Keenan Degen (2nd year, midfield, Kamloops, BC)  assisted by Camryn Curts (1st year midfield, Courtenay, BC).  Following a scram`ble 10 yards out front of the UNBC next, Degen found the ball at her feet and hit a low strike. Her first goal of the year.  TRU 2  UNBC 1

4.      82:00-UNBC—Tianna Puis is the recipient after Tianna Rossi (5th year, midfield, Prince George, BC) chested the ball back to her in open space. She sent a rocket left mid net. Puis’ third goal of the season.   UNBC 2  TRU 2

Shots:    UNBC:  12-9:21   TRU:  2-1:3        Corners:   UNBC:   3-1:4      TRU: 0-1:1

 Saves:   TRU: 2-2:4  UNBC:   0-0:0        Shots on goal:  UNBC:  3-3:6   TRU: 1-1:2

Keepers:   TRU:   Dannielle Robertson (1st year, Courtenay, BC)        UNBC: Brooke Molby:

RECORDS:

UNBC:    3-7-3                TRU: 3-8-2

QUOTES:

TRU head coach Kelly Shantz (2nd season): 

On Match: “A little disappointed. We knew we needed this to have as bonafide chance of making the playoffs. To not keep two leads is something we will come away with disappointed. We gave up a goal late in the first half. I am someone that doesn’t like to give up a late goal. It is very demoralizing. Then they get one with seven minutes left after we worked so hard to get it back. These are lessons we have to work on.”

UNBC head coach Neil Sedgwick (2nd season):

 On game: “It is good that the team knows they can come back from being a goal down. They competed very well. It was a well matched game. TRU has come a long way from the start of the season.”

On Tianna Puis: “It was a big afternoon for her. A couple of goals and she even stopped one on the line. A great player and she has been so wonderful for the program. Great that she can showcase late in her career.”

UP NEXT:

The WolfPack close out their regular season as they play host to the MacEwan University Griffins tomorrow at noon at McArthur Island (Oct 22).

The match WILL NOT be webcast  live on a pay per view basis on www.Canadawest.TV. 
The Timberwolves will head to Kelowna for a match tomorrow against the UBCO Heat.

The WolfPack men are hosting the 2017 USport Men’s Soccer Nationals November 9-12th. Tickets on sale at all TRU home matches or on line .