The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades went down Highway One to win their first CWUAA regular season series from their arch rivals, TWU, with a come from behind 2-2 tie against the Spartans, in Langley, BC. The tie improves the Cascades regular season record to 3-3-1 for 10-points and keeps the Cascades in the hunt for a CWUAA post season berth
The game was very similar to the one played six days ago in Abbotsford at Bateman Park. The Cascades stuck to their game plan keeping the very fast TWU wingers from causing any damage in the middle of the field. UFV controlled a good portion of the first half with hard work and again “winning” the loose balls in the middle of pitch. Their hard work paid off again as they broke the scoreless tie, 30 minutes into the game when second year defender Danielle Schmidt, Chilliwack, BC intercepted a clearing pass from TWU’s defense and smartly push the ball on the ground to Caitlin Blondin, Abbotsford, BC who saw an open Danika Snook, Chilliwack, BC who made no mistake in buried the ball in TWU’s net to give the Cascades the lead a second straight match.
The Cascades held their own the rest of the half and led at the intermission, by the one goal.
Like game one, six days ago, TWU’s powerful offense went to work at the start of the second half, giving UFV all they could handle, but the Cascades seemed to be handling the pressure until off a corner kick the referee called a handball in the Cascade ‘s defensive box and the Spartans’ Colleen Weber made no mistake beating Chantelle Biagioni, Pitt Meows, BC to the game at one. The Spartans kept coming and would eventually take the lead 8-minutes later when Daniela Gerig scored the go ahead goal as the Cascade defense froze and the ball deflected off a UFV player and past Biagioni.
The second Spartan goal was not only the turning point in the match, but the proof the UFV Cascades have come of age and can compete with Nationally Ranked teams as they withstood the two goals against and built an offensive attack that resulted in possibly the most important goal of the 2010 season as Snook would score her second of the night on a beautiful feed from none other than the Cascades very dependable captain, Megan Webster, Abbotsford, BC with under two minutes remaining.
“Again, I am very proud of my team. We showed great character in persevering to get a draw against an excellent team,” said UFV Head Coach Rob Giesbrecht. “We need to keep believing and being assertive going forward.”
Danika Snook was named the Cascades Player of the Game. “I am so happy for Danika, she is a great example of the strength of character our team possesses. She has gone through a tough patch with being unable to finish, today she was rewarded for her hard work and commitment. I am so proud of her,” said Giesbrecht.
UFV 1 1 = 2
TWU 0 2 = 2
Scoring
First Half:
30:22 UFV D Snook (C Blondin)
Second Half:
61:32 TWU Webber (P Kick)
71:34 TWU Gerig (Di Nunzio)
87:10 UFV D Snook (Webster)
Goalkeeping:
UFV C Biagioni T Saves: 4
TWU V Rogina T Saves: 2
Shots on Goal:
UFV 9/ TWU 12
Corner Kicks:
UFV 4 / TWU 1
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