The Peak

Clan score revenge against TWU

By Matt Lee, Associate Staff Contributor

Last year, Lucas Barrett blitzed the NAIA with 13 goals, the best on the Clan. It took 12 games, but Lucas Barrett found himself on the scoresheet against Trinity Western — in a big way — as he scored three in a 4-1 victory.

It was sweet revenge for the Clan, who desperately wanted to beat Trinity Western after the Spartans had embarrassed them in the season opener 5-1 in front of a crowd of 200 on their home turf. This time, the Clan exacted their revenge with four goals, the most by the Clan in a game this season.

“We were very disappointed to lose the first game of the season, and to lose the way we did was frustrating,” coach Alan Koch said. “Trinity Western had a special night against us, and we wanted to turn it around and flip it back at them and I think the guys came out and did exactly that.”

Driving the team’s ruthless killer instinct was Barrett, who had a night to remember. He had five shots on goal, three of which found their way to the back of the net. The star forward also picked up an assist in the victory.

For Barrett, it was a satisfying victory for a player who has been hampered by an ankle injury for a large portion of the season. The 3rd-year Richmond native missed two games with the injury, but it took him a handful of games to get back and going again. Even now, Barrett still isn’t at 100 per cent, but is getting close.

And while no soccer team can rely on one player alone, much of the team’s success will come from Barrett’s ability to provide offense. In order for the team to make a return trip back to the nationals, they’ll need players like Justin Carvery, Liam Smith, Tom Lowndes, and Stefano Pannu, among others, to continue to contribute.

“Lucas is a fantastic player. He wouldn’t have had the year he had last year if he wasn’t a great player,” explained Koch, who himself is ranked No. 10 all-time in SFU scoring. “He’s had a difficult year up until now . . . [he] got himself eligible, then got injured right away. I think [last game] we finally saw what Lucas Barrett is all about. It’s great for his confidence, great for our team confidence, and hopefully he can get on a roll and keep scoring goals for the rest of the season and playoffs.”

Barrett and the rest of the team now have a week before they take on Evergreen State on October 20. The last time the two squads squared off, the Clan secured a 3-1 victory on August 31.

“Down at their place it was a tough game and we only picked it up in the final 20 minutes to get a result there, so them coming here will be a tough game,” said Koch. “We’ve just got to keep marching on; we’re on a bit of a roll right now and we’ve got to ride it through the rest of the season.”