UFV Soccer to test mettle against newcomers UBCO and TRU
The UFV Cascades men’s and women’s soccer teams will travel north this weekend to play the UBCO Heat on Friday and the Thompson Rivers WolfPack on Saturday. Both opposing programs are entering their first season at the CIS level, and will be playing their home openers this weekend. Consequently, all four squads are eager to find out how they ‘stack up’ against the more established squads in the Canada West, and will be hungry to continue the success they enjoyed at the CCAA level.
Women’s Soccer:
The Cascades women have a win and a loss to their name after last weekend’s battles against the TWU Spartans and the UBC Thunderbirds. They’ve proven they can play with the best in the west and are looking to keep the momentum rolling in the coming weekend. So far the Cascades have shown a strong transition game and the ability to create plays from all angles, but also a tendency to surrender the ball quickly through the midfield. Already possessing the skill and experience, UFV is working on the patience necessary to post a winning record this season.
The Cascades will rely once again on the reassuring presence of Kayla Klim in net behind veteran defenders Jade Palm and Tristan Corneil. Forward Shelby Beck and midfielder Kara Delwo, each with a goal on the year, will provide an important offensive spark.
The Heat tied twice with the UNBC Timberwolves last weekend (0-0 and 1-1), despite peppering their opponents with 57 shots over the course of 180 minutes. UBCO will rely on the soccer-smarts of fifth-year keeper Christine Tallon, and the threat of striker Kirsten Dodds (14 goals in three PACWEST seasons).
The WolfPack are coming off a bye week, and will open Friday against TWU (ranked second nationally) before taking on the Cascades on Saturday. TRU is coached by three time PACWEST Coach of the Year Tom McManus, and won a CCAA bronze medal in 2013, meaning they could be a significant force in the Canada West this season. The team is led by CCAA All Canadian midfielder Bronwyn Crawford and PACWEST All-Star defender Marlie Rittinger.
Men’s Soccer:
The Cascades men are feeling a little ambivalent after last weekend. On the one hand they lost two straight games by a score of 1-0, but on the other they traded blows with UBC (ranked first nationally) and looked extremely capable of once again toppling giants. At the moment the Cascades have neither a win nor a single goal to their name, and yet coach Alan Errington is positive that they are the best squad UFV has ever fielded. This weekend the team has a chance to prove exactly how far they have come from the Cascades of previous years, as well as a chance to potentially capitalize on the Canada West inexperience of their opponents.
The Heat men split their opening weekend against the UNBC Timberwolves, scoring three goals in two games as they ended up on both sides of a 2-1 score. The Heat’s coach, Dante Zanatta, can claim the distinction of having coached his team to a victory in their first ever CIS match. His team is led by fifth-year midfielder/forward Austin Jones as well as former Cascade Jordan Leib.
The TRU WolfPack picked up a CCAA silver medal in New Brunswick last year, and enter this season with a veteran squad and high hopes. The WolfPack will look to former SFU Clansmen and fourth-year veteran Justin Wallace to elevate their game, as well as last year’s PACWEST Rookie of the Year Nolan Wallace.
Schedule:
Friday, Sept 12:
WSOC: 5 pm UFV Cascades @ UBCO Heat
MSOC: 7 pm UFV Cascades @ UBCO Heat
Saturday, Sept 13:
WSOC: 5 pm UFV Cascades @ TRU WolfPack
MSOC: 7 pm UFV Cascades @ TRU WolfPack
All games will be streamed with live video and stats at http://canadawest.tv
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