SOC | Poulin, Silwamba named Players of the Week
ALB midfielder and TWU goalkeeper recognized
Sept. 5, 2023 – The Canada West soccer season has started to hit its stride, with another weekend highlighted by terrific performances both offensively and in net.
Alberta midfielder Adrienne Poulin has been named the CW women’s soccer player of the week after a three-goal weekend, which led her team to a 2-1 win at Manitoba and a 1-1 draw against Winnipeg.
Poulin netted a brace against the Bisons, lifting the Pandas to their first conference victory of the season. Her first goal in the 26th minute was a thing of beauty. She raced forward and accepted a perfect pass from Erin Hope, then quickly blasted home a blistering shot from 12 yards out to give Alberta the lead.
She then doubled that advantage moments before the end of the first half, placing a great finish on a long cross in front of the net.
The third-year Edmonton product picked up where she left off the following day at Winnipeg, scoring in the 82nd minute to secure a tie with the Wesmen. Poulin flashed her trademark speed by breaking through the defence and sliding a well-placed shot past keeper Madison Priebe. It was a sigh of relief for Alberta, who fired 17 shots on goal (including eight from Poulin) but had been stymied by the Wesmen keeper.
Alberta returns home to Edmonton for home games against provincial rivals Calgary and Lethbridge next week.
On the men’s side, Trinity Western University goalkeeper Yeshua Silwamba earned a pair of clean sheets to lead the Spartans to a win and a draw in their weekend set against the UNBC Timberwolves.
The third-year Maple Ridge, B.C. product made three saves in a scoreless draw on Friday, before stealing the show with six saves in a 3-0 Spartans victory on Saturday. He was particularly busy in the win, with UNBC carrying the majority of the play.
Silwamba has played a key role in TWU’s undefeated 3-0-1 start, conceding just one goal in four games.
The Spartans will head on the road next weekend for pivotal games against a pair of tough west coast rivals, starting with a match at Victoria on Sept. 8 followed by a test at UBC the following day.
Catch every CW soccer game live and on demand this season through the new look Canada West TV.
Photo Credit: Don Voaklander (Alberta) and Mark Janzen (TWU).