The road to a national title for Simon Fraser University’s men’s soccer team seems to run right through the Tri-Cities.
Coquitlam’s Adam Jones scored in the 90th minute to give the unbeaten Clan a 2-1 win over Cal Poly Pomona Sunday at the 2017 Rimrock Classic tournament at Montana State Billings.
It was the third win of the young NCAA season for Simon Fraser, whose national ranking improved to third. It was also a bit of revenge for the Clan, who were eliminated from the second round of the playoffs last year by Cal Poly.
“It was a great win over a very good side,” said SFU coach Clint Schneider. “It feels good to get a little bit of revenge, but it’s a new season.”
Jones scored his winner off a long ball from Jeff Cadman that he was able to volley past Cal Poly keeper Jason Trejos with less than minute left of full time. The goal was Jones’ second of the season.
“It was a great finish by Adam,” Schneider said. “He probably could have had a couple of easier ones earlier in the game, but he made an incredible play to strike that one home.”
Jones’ winner came less than three minutes after Cal Poly tied the match.
The Clan’s first goal of the match was scored by freshman Matteo Polisi, a Dr. Charles Best grad, who converted a curling cross from his brother Marcello in the 35th minute.
The Clan will host Slippery Rock University at Terry Fox Field in Burnaby on Friday. Game time is 7 p.m.
Buren catch can’t save Clan
Centennial grad Justin Buren scored on a spectacular 91-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter, but that was as good as it got for SFU’s football team, who lost 35-7 to Texas A&M Kingsville, Saturday at Terry Fox Field in Burnaby.
While the result was better than the 68-7 drubbing the Clan suffered to the Javelinas last season, SFU was never really in the game as they trailed 21-0 at halftime.
Buren finished the game with three receptions for a total of 114 yards.
Brad Lyons, a defensive lineman out of Terry Fox secondary school, had seven tackles and helped on another.
The Clan will travel to Arcata, Ca. for a game against Humboldt State University on Saturday.
Tri-City runners lead cross-country charge
Coquitlam’s Addy Townsend finished second and Port Coquitlam’s Olivia Willett was third to help the Clan women’s cross country team win their opening race at the Ash Creek Invitational in Monmouth, Ore.
In fact, Clan runners swept the top five spots in the race, led by Julia Howley, who ran the 4.6km course in 16.24.6.
