The Quest University Kermodes women's soccer team extracted a measure of revenge on Saturday (Sept. 15).
Quest toppled the defending Pacwest champion Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Wolfpack 1-0 on Saturday and the significance of the win wasn't lost on the winning goal scorer Jamey Horth.
“It was a little nerve wracking at times out there today but this win really means a lot to us,” Horth said. “We lost to them in the first round of the playoffs last year so it's really nice for us to get this win.”
The Kermodes gave TRU its toughest test in last year's playoff run, losing to the champs in a shootout in the first round. The game remained scoreless after the first half, with both team trading chances. Quest's Mari Tarleton rang a shot off the post 20 minutes into the game and Kermodes goalkeeper Taylor Shantz was up to the task on the other end.
The game turned in the second half when pinching Quest defender Madison Maloski sent a beautiful cross to the goal box and Horth tapped it home.
“The cross went over the top of the keeper's head and I saw it there,” Horth said of the goal. “I used a little bit of aggression and managed to score. It was a really nice set-up by Maddie.”
Horth is the only Squamish native on the women's team and said it was an honour to be named a co-captain for this year's squad.
“It means a lot to me,” she said, noting it's her fourth year on the team. “It's nice that I get to represent Squamish on the team but I feel like I can relate to a lot of the girls on the team and I think they look up to me in a way.”
Shantz recorded her second straight shutout for the win and the Kermodes improve to one win, one loss and one draw on the season.
It was a frustrating Saturday on the pitch for the men's team, as they dropped their second straight game, losing to TRU 2-0.
The chippy game featured several yellow cards passed out to both teams but Quest had no answer for Wolfpack goalie Travis Froehlich. Quest's Charles Impey did get a ball past him on a set piece in the first half but the goal was disallowed due to an offside call.
Sebastian Gardner and Ashley Raynes tallied for TRU, who improve to one win, one loss and one tie on the season. Quest falls to two losses and one draw.
The men's and women's teams will be back in action on Sunday (Sept. 16) when the UBC-O Heat come to town. The women kick off at noon, the men at 2 p.m.
Check the print edition of The Chief for details on Sunday’s games.
