The Trinity Western University Spartans punched their ticket to the CIS women's soccer semifinals, outclassing the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks 2-1 on a clear but cool Thursday evening at Centennial Stadium on the University of Victoria campus.
With early opportunities, the Canada West champion Spartans cashed in on their third solid scoring chance in the opening 20 minutes as midfielder Jessica King made a strong turn just out-side the Laurier box and buried a right-footer low to keeper Katrina Ward's right.
Canada West rookie of the year Krista Gommeringer's solid header sailed wide in the eighth minute, and that was followed by Tessa Meyer's golden opportunity that also soared wide just minutes later, much to the chagrin of TWU supporters who made it across from the Mainland.
They had plenty to cheer about just seven minutes later on King's crowning glory.
The fans were at it again in the 67th minute as Jennifer Castillo made it 2-0, capitalizing on a loose ball off a corner.
Amanda Mithrush got it back for the Golden Hawks on a left-footer from 20 yards out with her first goal of the season.
"In fairness, I thought we could have buried the game or at least been up handily," Spartans head coach Graham Roxburgh said of the early chances. "Our finishing wasn't as sharp as it should have been. ... I'm just pleased that we won."
Trinity Western advances to the semifinals today while Laurier, which featured Victoria Highlanders defender Kelsey Tikka, slips to the consolation side of the eight-team pool.
Meyer was TWU's player of the game while Mithrush took Laurier's honours.
Earlier, two-time defending champion Queen's defeated the Dalhousie Tigers 2-0 in the second quarter-final of the day, courtesy of a first-half goal by Alexis McKinty, who split the defence and beat goalkeeper Taryn McKenna low to her right.
Riley Filion clinched it late for the Gaels, who dodged a pair of early chances by Dalhousie's Lauren Landry.
Queen's showed a bit more purpose and creativity throughout the matchup.
"It was great to get a win against a very good team," said Queen's head coach Dave MacDowel. "We took some time to adjust to the grass and the bigger surface, but we scored a couple of nice goals and were unlucky not to get more in the second half."
McKinty was named the Gaels player of the game, while Rieka Santilli captured the award for Dalhousie.
In the opener, the Ottawa Gee-Gees wasted little time in a 3-1 victory over the Cape Breton Capers. Kayla Jones got it started with a goal in the opening three minutes before Jessica Fur-tado replied in the 12th minute for Cape Breton.
Krista Draycott restored the Gee-Gees' lead in the 26th minute, and Vanessa MacMillan added insurance in the 80th minute.
Julia Francki was named Ottawa's player of the game while Chelsea Currie won the honour for Cape Breton.
Ottawa faces Queen's in the first semifinal at 4: 30 p.m. today.
