The SFU Clan Women’s Soccer Team suffered a 5-0 defeat to the Western Washington Vikings this Saturday at Terry Fox Field. The team’s start was their undoing, with all five Western Washington goals coming within the first fifteen minutes. It was the first loss of the season for the Clan who are now 3–1–2 on the season, and 1–1–1 within the GNAC conference.
Western Washington was stiff competition entering the contest with a 6–1 record and a #5 national ranking. Despite the Clan exercising great ball possession, the Vikings were able to strike quickly, with the first goal coming within the first three minutes, and the second goal coming just a minute later. By the time it had reached the 15 minute mark, the game was 5–0, and it was out of reach. Elise Aylward had a hat trick for the Vikings with Catherine Miles chipping in the other two goals.
The Clan settled down in the second half and had several chances to get on the scoreboard. The highlight was Goaltender Priya Sandhu’s (Surrey, BC) exciting diving save on a Western Washington penalty kick. Coach Annie Hamel identified Katelyn Erhardsen (Maple Ridge, BC) as the top Clan player in the match in an otherwise poor effort from the team.
Coach Hamel also stated that, “the biggest positive is that we get to play them again and let them know that an 18 minute span doesn’t define us as a group.” Coach Hamel also expressed pride in her squad for “respond[ing] very well after our half time talk.”
Moving forward, the team will be at home on October 1 to take on Montana State University Billings. Coach Hamel stressed that they need to focus on decision making in their next game. “We need to play smarter, [and] make the right decisions quicker so we move the ball at a much higher pace and play to our strengths.”
