Box Score LANGLEY, B.C. – The UBC Okanagan Heat women's soccer team gave perennial powerhouse Trinity Western all they could handle on Friday evening as they lost 3-2 at Chase Office Field.
Taking the field for a regular season game the first time in nearly two years, the Heat got two second-half goals from transfer Stefanie Young of Kelowna, B.C. However, the 3-0 lead that the Spartans built up in the first half proved to be too steep a hill to climb for the blue and gold.
Coming off a strong preseason, the Heat were looking to carry that momentum into their season opener against a Trinity Western team that finished third in Canada West back in 2019.
However, it was all Spartans in the opening half as they outshot the Heat 10-1. Heat rookie keeper Molly Race of Vernon, B.C., stood tall early on but couldn't keep the hosts at bay for long.
Trinity Western would go ahead in the 33rd minute through Madilyn Melnychuk of Langley, B.C., before a curling effort from Sarah Bazille of Coquitlam, B.C., in the 40th minute put the Spartans on top by two.
Just seconds before the halftime whistle, TWU would add a third off the boot of Elizabeth Hicks of Surrey, B.C., to lead 3-0 after 45 minutes.
The second half was a completely different story for the visitors as they pushed their way back into the contest.
In the 59th minute, Young, a graduate of Okanagan Mission SS took a long pass before firing a shot from 30 yards out that sailed over the head of Trinity Western keeper Hannah Miller of Langley, B.C., to get the Heat on the board.
10 minutes later, Young struck again, chasing down another long pass before chipping Miller to cut the Spartans lead to one.
Despite their best efforts, the Heat couldn't find a third as they fell in the opening game of the weekend doubleheader.
Race would take the loss for the Heat but made seven saves in the game. Miller picked up the win for Trinity Western despite allowing two goals on two shots.
The two teams will be right back at it on Saturday afternoon as they kick off at 5 p.m. The game can be seen live on CanadaWest.tv.
