LANGLEY, B.C. – The Trinity Western Spartans scored the only goal of the Canada West championship final in the 88^th minute as they defeated the UBC Thunderbirds 1-0 Saturday night at Chase Field.

Kathryn Harvey's late tally powered the Spartans to their ninth conference banner while both TWU and the T-Birds will be off to Sydney, Nova Scotia to compete in the 2021 U SPORTS National Championship where UBC will look to defend their 2019 title.
 
The game started with some counter-attacking play by both sides while the Spartans were the first to move to a counter-attacking mindset as UBC's play in the midfield was strong.
 
With UBC playing to their strengths at the beginning of the match, the momentum quickly shifted in the road team's favour.


 
Spartans defender Jessica Vance was strong to begin the game as the first-year was able to dismantle UBC's final efforts in the box. Still, with the TWU back line playing impressively, the Spartans were unable to take control of the midfield throughout the beginning stages of the first half.
 
The latter stage of the opening 45 saw the Spartans show signs of life as Sierra Halldorson started to settle into the middle of the park. Without a goal to show for her impact on the match, the half ended at 0-0.
 
As the players were taking the field for the second half, no signs of angst were expressed from either side. This display of calm, cool, collectedness spoke volumes to the impressive nature of both programs.


 
With the second half beginning, neither team seemed keen to allow any substantial chance as the bulk of the play was pinned to the midfield.
 
Opportunities started to compile near the end of regulation with the Spartans finally snatching a late one from Harvey. UBC goalkeeper Emily Moore booted the ball up the field off a goal kick, sending it right to TWU forward Makenna Dietrich who couldn't control the ball as it was cleared by a UBC defender. Halldorson applied pressure, snatching up the ball to immediately loft a pass to Harvey who, with just Moore to beat, snuck it into the back of the net.
 
With the final whistle being blown, the Spartan faithful burst onto the field to congratulate the newly crowned Canada West champions while the T-Birds are forced to settle for conference silver for the second consecutive season.
It's possible the two rivals meet again in a couple weeks as they make their way to the shores of the Atlantic for the national tournament, hosted by Cape Breton University beginning Thursday, November 18^th.