Spartans grind out 2-1 win over gritty Timberwolves

The UNBC Timberwolves men’s soccer team took on the Trinity Western Spartans last night at Masich Place. The Spartans left the game with a 2-1 victory.

For the first half of the game, UNBC focused on protecting the box and effectively clearing the ball.

“I would prefer a game where I don’t make a single save, but as a goalkeeper, you do everything you can,” said Timberwolves keeper Rob Goodey. “It wasn’t just me. Everyone in front of me was blocking every shot they could.”

Timberwolves were the first to score with a goal from fifth-year Conrad Rowland. At halftime, the Spartans were outshooting the Timberwolves 7-1.

For the first 20 minutes of the second half, the game saw much of the same action. At the 67 minute mark, the visitors got their break and Matthew Roxburgh managed to score.

Just two minutes later, a handball violation was called in the Timberwolves box and Caleb Johnson was awarded a penalty kick which gave the Spartans their first lead.

Despite Goodey’s ten saves, the Timberwolves suffered their first loss of the season moving to 0-1-2, while Spartans improve to 2-1-1.

“We can’t expect every little thing to go our way,” said Goodey. “We have to do everything we can. We are frustrated to not get the win, but every game is a learning opportunity. We lost today, but we come back next week and learn from it.”