LANGLEY, B.C. – The Trinity Western University men's soccer team needed a goal from forward Nathan Pogue (Seaside, Ore.) in the 86th minute to keep the visiting University of Calgary Dinos from upsetting the No. 3 ranked Spartans in their Canada West home opener Friday night at TWU's Langley B.C. campus. The draw keeps TWU undefeated at 1-0-2, while Calgary moves to 1-1-1.

BOX SCORE

The Dinos had taken a one goal lead in the 69th minute when Calgary forward David Benavide (West Vancouver, B.C.), who was just outside the top of the Spartans box, got a pass from defender Matt Reid (Calgary), who had gotten the ball after a TWU miscue. Benavides hammered the ball high at the TWU net, and unlike the other shots from the Dinos – which were often off target, Benavides' shot went over the outstretched hand of TWU keeper Andrew Kowan (Richmond, B.C ) hit the cross bar and ricocheted down into the back of the Spartans net.

The first half had the Spartans with a slight edge in shots at five to four, but neither team was able to get any quality chances to truly test the opponent's keepers.

As the second half progressed the Dinos began to control the play, which resulted in Calgary having a seven to two shot advantage in the final 45 minutes. Calgary gradually gained momentum and were eventually rewarded with Benavides' goal.

The goal woke up the Spartans. From the 70th minute on the Spartans attack became more deliberate. Rather than move the ball around the outside of the Dino players, TWU made a more direct attack firing balls over the top and through the middle towards the back line of the Calgary defenders.

The Spartans were finally able to break through in the 86th minute. Pogue was sent up the middle on a through ball from midfielder Jason Wiens (Coaldale, Alta.). Pogue split the Calgary defenders to go in on the Dino's #J.P. Crescenzi# (Calgary). Pogue hit a clean shot into the lower left corner of the Dinos' net to tie the match at 1-1.

Over the final minutes both teams looked for opportunities to get the winner, but were left unrewarded as the match finished in a 1-1 draw.

“For two thirds of the field we were a pretty good team, our back through our midfield. But not everything rests with the forwards, but we were not good enough to break that team down going through the final third to score a goal,” said TWU head coach Pat Rohla. “When we started doing it in the final ten minutes we could get behind them and we were dangerous and caused some panic. It was good in that we kept a lot of possession, but possession does not score goals. You have to have people with an appetite who crave the ball and want to get forward and get in the back yard of the other team and play a bit.”

“We have to be better at not giving balls away cheaply and that takes a little bit of confidence and some composure. It is us, it is not the other teams right now. When we learn that and when we have an appetite to get forward I think that this team can play with anybody but we don't believe it yet,” added Rohla.

Kowan made two saves for TWU, while Crescenzi made one save for Calgary.

The Spartans will now take on the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at TWU, while the Dinos will travel west to take on the UBC Thunderbirds, who defeated the Pronghorns 1-0 tonight at Point Grey.

Match Notes: Nearly 500 fans were on hand to watch TWU in their home opener…Calgary outshot TWU 11-7 and had a five to three edge in corner kicks… TWU Jordan Whitehead and Calgary's Joe Long were named their respective teams Players of the Game…Pogue's goal gives him 28 in his career and puts him one shy of the Spartans record of 29 which is held by TWU alum Adrian Kekec ('09)…TWU's Wiens has earned a point in each of the Spartans first three matches…

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