Third-year goalkeeper Brityn Hinsche continues to shine in the goal for the UNBC Timberwolves. Sunday afternoon at Masich Place Stadium, the third-year goalkeeper from Williams Lake set a new personal single-game record with 17 saves in a 3-1 loss to the visiting Trinity Western Spartans. The nationally ranked Spartans got goals from Payton Izsak and Charity Field and caught a lucky break in the second-half with a UNBC own goal. The Timberwolves goal came off a header from Claire Turner in the 58th minute – her second of the season.
After an early strike from Izsak in the seventh minute put Trinity Western up 1-0, Hinsche followed with four saves to keep the hosts within striking distance. Tilly James, Erin Stewart, Mansha Sidhu and Charity Field were all thwarted by Hinsche.
The persistent Spartans increased their advantage to 2-0 in the 20th minute when Charity Field collected a rebound and struck for her third of the season. Hinsche turned aside the three remaining shots fired her way in the half, and also got help from Blake Plummer and Maleah Fernie who made defensive saves of their own in front of her.
Hinsche collected eight of her 17 total saves in the first half.
The second half was similarly busy for Hinsche and the TWolves on their side of the pitch as the Spartans kept the pressure coming. Hinsche though, true to form stayed positive and resilient, stopping nine Trinity Western opportunities in the back-half of the game.
The lone ball to cross the line on Hinsche in the second was an unfortunate case of bad luck in minute 57 as a Trinity Western cross deflected off a TWolves defender and in for an own-goal and a 3-0 Spartans advantage.
Shortly thereafter the Masich Place Stadium crowd came to life when fifth-year forward Claire Turner responded offensively for UNBC. Turner secured her second goal of the season off a header that came as a result of a wonderful crossing feed from Maleah Fernie.
Fernie for her efforts at both ends of the pitch received the Mr. Mike’s Player of the Game honour for UNBC.
When the final horn sounded, the Spartans were able to celebrate a 3-1 victory on the strength of 23 shots on target, and 31 total shot attempts. The young TWolves left the pitch with their heads held high though, as they remained connected and positive against one of the top squads in the conference.
Next weekend Neil Sedgwick’s team will take to the road as they battle UBC Okanagan on Friday night before a Saturday night clash in Kamloops against TRU.