It was always going to be a big ask for the Huskies women’s soccer team to post their first ever win over the Trinity Western University Spartans during Canada West quarter-finals. In the end, the Dogs fell 0-2 to the reigning Canadian Interuniversity Sport women’s soccer champions on Oct. 26.

This was the second year in a row the Huskies have lost in the Canada West quarter-finals after falling to the University of Regina Cougars last year. The Spartans advance to the semi-finals where they will face the University of Victoria Vikes.

The Huskies controlled possession in the beginning of the match but could not generate many quality scoring opportunities. After the first 15 minutes of play the Spartans began to show why they are the defending champions. Spartan Krista Gommeringer had two opportunities on net at the 21 and 25 minute marks but Huskie goaltender Cara Santaga came up big with two saves to keep the scoreboard empty.

The Spartans struck first 31 minutes in when Vanessa Kovacs volleyed Gommeringer’s free kick past Santaga to give the home team a 1-0 lead. The defending champions controlled the momentum and less than seven minutes later Kovacs scored yet again to extend the Spartans lead to 2-0.

With a lead in hand the Spartans turned their attention toward defence. The Spartans did well to snuff out any Huskies chances but in the 77th minute the Dogs garnered their best opportunity to get on the board. Striker Erica Hindmarsh blasted a shot towards net but the ball scraped just past the left post.

The Spartans continued to play tight defence and the Huskies would not see another opportunity on net before the whistle blew and the home team recorded a 2-0 victory to advance to the next round.

Santaga recorded four saves while Spartans goaltender Rachel Bedek made three in the shutout. The Huskies had three shots on target compared to the Spartans six.