Burnaby, BC - The SFU Clan women’s soccer team got back in the win column this evening with a 1-0 victory over Northwest Nazarene University at Terry Fox Field.  In their first meeting of the season, NNU defeated SFU by a score of 2-1 in Nampa, ID, scoring the only goal of the game in the 89th minute.  The win is SFU’s second of the season and their first in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.

“I’m so proud of the team right now,” said Shelley Howieson after the game.  “We’ve had some tough breaks this season but the players kept working hard and it paid off tonight.”

SFU started the scoring courtesy of Karm Jawandha (Delta, BC).  Jawandha, playing with a face mask due to an injury, got the ball in behind the NNU goalkeeper and made no mistake, depositing it into the net for her first goal of the season to give SFU a 1-0 lead.  

“Karm deserved that goal.  She kept her composure on the play and just did what she was supposed to do.  She was playing injured and the face mask she had to wear really obstructed her vision; so she definitely earned that goal.”

Early in the second half, NNU answered back when Jenny Field scored in the 52nd minute.  Her sixth goal of the season, which tied the game, was assisted by Autumn Yturbe.

SFU tried to take the lead back seconds later, storming into the Crusaders territory and putting a shot on net that was saved by Monique Ray.

The Clan put pressure on NNU throughout the second half, firing six shots on goal and they were able to capitalize late.  

After Jenna Piovesan (Burnaby, BC) put a great strike on net in the 88th minute, Jawandha attempted a header that went off the crossbar.  Lia Marining (North Vancouver, BC) took the rebound off the crossbar and scored her first goal of the season to give SFU a late 2-1 lead.

“Lia did a good job to stay with the play on that goal.  Just like Karm did earlier, she kept her composure on a tough play and scored a big goal for us.”

With seconds remaining, NNU put a dangerous looking shot wide of the goal but the SFU defence quickly cleared it away, and time expired to give SFU the 2-1 victory.

The Clan outshot the Crusaders 12-9 this evening, with eight shots on goal to NNU’s four.  Amelia Ng (Richmond, BC) made three saves in net in the SFU victory while Monique Ray made six saves for NNU.

SFU returns to action at Terry Fox Field this Saturday afternoon at 2:30 PM against Montana State University Billings.  Admission is free.