Spartans beat MacEwan to open second semester

LANGLEY, British Columbia – Trinity Western's Emily Karpan had a three-assist afternoon to help lead the Spartans to a convincing 4-1 win over visiting MacEwan Friday afternoon at the Langley Events Centre. 

In TWU's first game of the second semester, Sadie Isfeld, Chloe Reid, Ashley Breitkreuz and Keelyn Pisani each scored for the Spartans. Beyond Karpan's three assists, the Spartans Ella Boon, Olivia Leier and Chayce Kullman also added helpers. 

Sasha Malenfant scored the lone goal for the Griffins, with Jordana Jones getting the assist.

Isfeld opened the scoring just 1:30 into the game, setting the tone for an afternoon contest that saw the Spartans outshoot the Griffins 38-21 on their way to a decisive win.

The victory lifts TWU back to .500 as they improved to 9-9-1. MacEwan drops to 4-13-1-1.

Reid doubled the Spartans lead at 11:22 of the opening frame, whipping home a shot from the slot for her seventh goal of the season, tying Kyra McDonald for the team lead. 

Breitkreuz added to the TWU total, deflecting a point shot from Kullman past MacEwan goalie Lindsey Johnson. Pisani converted on a rebound off a Karpan point shot to add to the Spartans goal total. 

MacEwan's Malenfant tallied at 14:19 of the final frame. 

Johnson finished with 34 saves, while TWU goalie Kate Fawcett stopped 20 of the 21 shots she faced.

QUOTABLE
Peter Hay, TWU Head Coach
"This year is off to a great start. I really loved how our team came out motivated, hungry and with good energy. The culture of the team feels really good and the results obviously came with many great efforts. A lot of players contributed to this win. Now, we need to rinse and repeat tomorrow and bring that same identity."

NOTABLE 
•    TWU is 7-6 all-time against the Griffins. 
•    The Spartans have won five of their last six meetings with MacEwan.
•    The teams split their weekend series in October with TWU winning 5-0 in Friday's game before MacEwan won 2-1 Saturday. 

UP NEXT 
The rematch between TWU and MacEwan is Saturday. Puck drop is set for 1 p.m. at the Langley Events Centre. 

About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 11 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes in NAIA in cross country and track and field and as an independent team in men's rugby and women's and men's disc golf. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 14 U SPORTS team championships and 34 Canada West team championships.

About Trinity Western University
Recognized for quality, TWU has received seven consecutive A+ rankings for Quality of Teaching and Learning, holds three Canada Research Chairs, and wins national championships in CIS sports. More importantly, lives are changed at TWU through its whole-person, Christ-centred approach to education. With a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree-completion programs, TWU equips leaders of character and competence to make a positive impact in the lives of others.