Trinity Western goalkeeper Andrew Hicks snares a high shot during his team's 1-0 victory over the Mount Royal Cougars at Rogers Field on Oct. 11.

Trinity Western goalkeeper Andrew Hicks snares a high shot during his team's 1-0 victory over the Mount Royal Cougars at Rogers Field on Oct. 11.

Spartans making late-season push

Trinity Western sits three points back of final playoff spot with two games in hand

The injury-ravaged Trinity Western men’s soccer team is making a late-season push for a playoff spot.

The Spartans defeated the visiting Mount Royal Cougars and Winnipeg Wesmen by identical 1-0 scores at Rogers Field over the weekend to improve to 3-6-1. They are just three points back of the third-place Fraser Valley Cascades and have two games in hand. Four games remain in the regular season.

The only scoring in Friday’s game was an own goal off a corner kick in the 75th minute.

“I think we’re really breathing a sigh of relief tonight,” said Spartans coach Pat Rohla after the game.

“We really needed to get this one and while it was earned on an own goal, we’re happy with the win.

“We probably squandered six good chances, at least, so I don’t think the score was entirely indicative of the game.”

Andrew Hicks made four saves for the victory and then another three the next night.

Carlos del Aguila strike in the 12th minute for the game’s only goal.

“I thought it was a great character win,” Rohla said.

“Once again I think some of the issues that we had were of our own doing. I think we should have done more with our possession, particularly in the first half and we really lacked connecting passes through that final third.

“Having said that, I thought we did a lot of good things. We were brave and we had good Spartan spirit. We’ve been asking these guys to bring this type of game and they did. It’s one of those situations where we’re doing everything but putting the ball in the onion bag. I’d be really nervous if the chances weren’t there, but they were. It’s a sign that the team is alive and positive and I’m actually very proud of the way they’ve responded in the last couple of weeks.”

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The Spartans close the home portion of the regular season schedule as they host the UNBC Timberwolves on both Friday and Saturday. Both games begin at 7 p.m.

Langley Times