SOC: UNBC striker, TWU defender show up big in weekend matches

CALGARY – Northern British Columbia's Michael Henman and Trinity Western's Tilly James were named the Canada West Soccer Players of the Week by the conference on Tuesday.

Henman scoops up his second Player of the Week honour this season with another impressive four-goal weekend.

More eyebrow-raising than that? He became the first Canada West player to record four hat tricks in a career since Ajeej Sarkaria (three in 2016, one in 2021), but Henman did it in a single season. It's a season that is long from over, but the fourth-year striker has already worked himself in the fourth spot all-time for most goals in a season

Henman began his weekend by quickly turning a back-and-forth 1-0 game against the Saskatchewan Huskies on its head Friday night. He streaked to the middle to get his left foot on a pass from teammate Julian Daduica in the 58th minute and deflected it home. Minutes later, he rocketed a shot high over the head of the Huskies' goaltender to increase the Timberwolves' lead to three. Then, less than ten minutes removed from his first goal, he notched his hat trick with a perfectly-placed penalty kick that beat the goalie who guessed right.

Henman's hat trick led the Timberwolves to a 4-0 victory over Saskatchewan. He added a goal and an assist Sunday as the T-Wolves beat MacEwan 3-1.

The major offensive contributor will be back in action Friday as UNBC travels to UBC to take on the Thunderbirds at 7:30 p.m. The match-up could see major ramifications in the Pacific standings. You can catch the game exclusively on Canada West TV.

Game log:
​Sept. 23: 3 goals, 5 shots, 4 SOG in 4-0 W vs SSK
​Sept. 25: 1 goal, 1 assist, 4 shots, 2 SOG in 3-1 W vs GMU

Meanwhile, Tilly James came to life in the Spartans' Saturday afternoon affair with the UBCO Heat. The defender scored both goals for TWU, the sole marks for the team on the weekend, pushing them back into the win column for a 6-1-1 record.

James' first came in the 33rd minute as she raced down the left side of the pitch, stopped on a dime, and flew a well-placed shot over the Heat goalkeeper's head.

She then snatched any hopes UBCO had of a comeback late in the game with a quick shot off a pass from teammate Sierra Halldorson, who also assisted on her first goal. James' second of the night put the game out of reach for the Heat as she played hero to keep her Spartans second in the Pacific division.

James now has five goals on the season, tied for fifth in the conference.

She and the Trinity Western Spartans will be back in action Friday, when they host Calgary at 7 p.m. local time. You can catch the game exclusively on Canada West TV.

Game log:
​Sept. 24: 2 shots, 1 SOG 0-0 D at TRU
​Sept. 25: 2 goals, 5 shots, 5 SOG in 2-0 W at UBCO