The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women's soccer team lost their final home match of the 2014-15 Canada West regular season.
The WolfPack were the first victims of their archrivals, the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat in Canada West play. UBCO downed Thompson Rivers 1-0 at Hillside Stadium on Saturday (October 18).
The Heat move to one win, seven losses and three draws with one match to play. The WolfPack fall to one win and 10 defeats.
"We played very poorly in the first half,"said TRU head coach Tom McManus. "We were beaten to every ball. In the second half we picked up and played the way we could. I was hoping Taylor (Miller, third year, midfield, Kamloops, BC) or Ciara (Ambrose, first year, forward, Aurora, ON) would have got one. It didn't work out today."
The lone goal came in the 33rd minute. Off a corner kick, there was a scramble in front and before WolfPack keeper Emily Edmundson (fifth year, Kamloops, BC) could handle it, the ball was put into the net by Heat midfielder Michelle Smith (fourth year, Vernon, BC).
McManus said his team's inability to get the equalizer the rest of the way mirrored how the 2014-15 campaign has gone for his club. "We were just a little off. I am not sure why we came out flat. We had a good week of practice and everyone was pumped up for it. It was hard coming into the match after we had beaten UBCO so many times in PACWEST. We fought hard. Bronwyn (Crawford, fifth year, midfield, Kamloops, BC) was beat up all over the place. That was their game plan to go through the back."
"I took a beating out there," said a clearly emotional Crawford after her last home match. "They were double and triple teaming me the whole time. I could hear their bench and their coaches telling them to get me. It was too much."
The Heat had a glorious chance to go ahead by two in the 65th minute but Edmundson stoned the Heat forward from six yards out.
"I was in the right spot at the right time," Edmundson stated.
TRU's best chance of the second half came in the 68th minute when Marlie Rittinger (third year, midfield, Ashcroft, BC) placed a through ball to Miller who turned on the speed down the left side and blasted a shot which hit the side of the UBCO net.
Christine Tallon (fifth year, Kamloops, BC) got the shutout in her final collegiate appearance in Kamloops. She made six saves—four in the second half.
UBCO outshot Thompson Rivers 19-18 and committed 27 fouls compared to 16 for the WolfPack.
Before the contest: Thompson Rivers said goodbye to both their fifth year players, Crawford and Edmundson.
Edmundson says the last home match of her career was tough. "It is emotional. It's pretty hard to say goodbye to it. It's been a fantastic five years and I couldn't have asked for anything better. I was a little nervous coming into this one. UBCO has always been our biggest rivals. Playing at the CIS level, I wanted to go at them and win it. Lots of emotions at the beginning with the goodbye ceremony."
Crawford echoed the fact it was an emotional week and it was tough to end her home career with a loss. "Its frustrating, sure. I love all these girls. I am glad I could be a part of the beginning of CIS. I am sad I won't be able to continue it on the field."
Crawford hasn't ruled out a possible assistant coaching position with TRU next season if she remains in Kamloops after she graduates.
Said McManus about the two fifth year players: "Again Emily Edmundson, that save she made in the second half, it was world class. She came out of nowhere after the UBCO player blasted the ball from six yards out. It was a world class save. Bronwyn was again our leader. Sadly, she was getting beaten up by UBCO. That is the way it goes. You have to stop the opposition's best player and for us, it is Bronwyn."
The WolfPack and Heat will conclude their first Canada West season on Saturday (October 19) in Kelowna with a return match.