TRINITY WESTERN 1 UVIC 0
Kristen Funk showed everyone in attendance on Saturday at Centennial Stadium why she was named a Canadian Interuniversity Sport first team All-Canadian last year.
The fifth-year goalkeeper from the Trinity Western Spartans was outstanding in leading her team to a 1-0 victory over the University of Victoria Vikes. With the victory, the Spartans claimed the Canada West title with a record of 11 wins and only one loss.
The Vikes, who will be hosting the CIS championships from Nov. 8-11 at Centennial Stadium, finished second with a record of 9-2-1.
UVic had several opportunities to take the Canada West crown but each time Funk or her defence were there to deny the Vikes.
Late in the first half, UVic's Amy Lawrence fired a long shot that appeared to be headed into the top corner of the net. However, Funk leaped up and deflected the ball off the crossbar.
Then with the game still scoreless in the second half, UVic's Lindsay Hoetzel was awarded a penalty kick after she was pulled down in the box. Hoetzel attempted a high shot but Funk deflected it out of play.
"When I'm facing penalty kicks, I try to watch for body language," said Funk. "On that one, it was just instinct. I went to the right and the ball was there.
"We have a solid group on the back line and we pride ourselves on defence."
Funk, who has played every minute for her team this year, has only allowed a total of four goals and two of them were in a 2-0 loss to the Alberta Pandas. Funk has also posted nine shutouts.
"Kristen [Funk] had a great game for Trinity Western," said UVic coach Tracy David. "That save she made on Amy [Lawrence] was going into the net but she tipped it away. Then she stopped the penalty kick. In this type of a game, you can't miss a penalty kick and expect to win."
In the 70th minute, Trinity Western was awarded a penalty kick after a UVic handball in the box. Natalie Boyd blasted a shot past UVic goalkeeper Steph Parker.
After the goal, the Vikes pressured Trinity Western and they did generate some chances only to be turned away.
"Trinity Western defended very well after that goal," said David. "They had almost every back to stop us.
"It was so important that we score that penalty kick to put them back on their heels a bit. After they scored, we needed two goals to win the Canada West title.''
Trinity Western attacked early and its best chances in the first half came just outside the box on free kicks.
Spartans' rookie Krista Gommeringer took the shots and they both sailed over the net.
The Vikes are back in action on Saturday at Centennial Stadium in a one-game playoff against the No.7 seeded team. That team will not be determined until the regular season wraps up today. Game time will be 5 p.m.
The top eight teams advance to the Canada West playoffs and the four winners will advance to the Final Four at the home of the remaining highest seed.
? The UVic men's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision on the road to Trinity Western. With the loss, the Vikes now have a record of 5-5-2 but still hold the third and final playoff spot in the Pacific Division over the Fraser Valley Cascades.
Cameron Parkes and Jarvis Ambaka scored for the Spartans while Cam Stokes countered for the Vikes in extra time.
The Vikes complete the regular season next weekend at Centennial Stadium against the Mount Royal Cougars on Friday and the Winnipeg Wesmen on Saturday. Both games start at 7: 15 p.m.
