A pair of one-goal losses kept the Trinity Western Spartans from finishing their season with a medal.
Competing at the Canada West championships at UBC over the weekend in Vancouver, the Spartans men’s soccer team lost a pair of 2-1 decisions, first to the Victoria Vikes in the semifinals and then to the Fraser Valley Cascades in the bronze medal game.
Both games saw the Spartans reduced to 10 men in the second half after Kalem Scott was disqualified against Victoria and Leighton Johnson was tossed in the second.
Cody Fransen had the lone Spartan goal against the Cascades, pulling his team to within a goal in the 83rd minute.
Against Victoria, the teams were tied at a goal apiece in the first half as Taylor Johnson pulled the Spartans level with a strike in the 36th minute. But the Vikes scored the game-winner — and qualified for nationals — with the winning goal in the 83rd minute.
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TWU fifth-year players Brayden Gant and Jarvis Ambaka were both names Canada West second team all-stars.
Gant, a solidifying force in the midfield, earned conference recognition all five seasons for the Spartans.
Ambaka, a speedy striker, led the team with four goals and two assists and this was the third time he earned second team all-star honours in his five seasons.
