Abbotsford – The UFV soccer teams are beginning with the best this weekend, taking on last year’s CIS women’s champions, the TWU Spartans, on Friday before confronting last year’s men’s champions, the UBC Thunderbirds, on Sunday. It’s a trial by fire for the two Cascades squads, but one that both teams are eager to meet. The UFV men were the only team to win a game against the Thunderbirds last season, while the women lost their only matchup against the Spartans 2-1. Still, it’s a new season with lots of new roster additions for all three programs, meaning that once the whistle blows it’s impossible to know which team’s drive and determination will carry the day.
Women’s Soccer:
The UFV Cascades (ranked sixth in the Canada West) are entering this season with the deepest roster in the program’s CIS history and a conspicuous lack of untimely preseason injuries. All the omens are in their favor to once again be a Canada West threat and hopefully slip past the quarter-final stumbling block that has consistently tripped them up in recent seasons. As coach Rob Giesbrecht says “We can play with anybody, we can get results against anybody, but Canada West is competitive and you never just show up and get a win … It’s always a matter on game day of being a little sharper, of having a little more desire, of being willing to do a little bit more than our opponents to find success. That said, I like the character of my team and I’m anticipating a very positive weekend.”
Giesbrecht is also looking forward to fielding a squad that has grown significantly in its ability to keep possession of the ball in both halves of the pitch. “Historically we’ve been a more direct team, but I think the addition of Carley Radomski in our midfield allows us to maintain possession better than we have in the past. We’ve also added probably the most natural forward target in our program history in Monika Levarsky. She’s going to be a key player for us. We have pace on the wings with Karlee Pedersen and Danica Kump, and we have a solid defensive group led by Jade Palm, Dayle Jeras and Tristan Corneil. I think that having Kara Delwo back after a year off with injury is going to be key. She covers miles for us in the park and is a great ball winner.”
Men’s Soccer:
After numerous seasons on the edge of post-season qualification, the Cascades (ranked sixth in the Canada West) finally broke the barrier last year by finishing third in the Canada West Final Four. With their appetites whetted by success, the team enters this season a stronger, faster, deeper squad. A talented class of recruits has added significantly to the striking power of the Cascades’ midfield, while the return of veteran keeper Mark Village from injury is an important boon to the team’s defensive stability.
Thankfully, last season’s scoring drought seems to be a footnote in the history books. Third-year striker James Najman has scored in almost every preseason game he’s played in, but is only one of a number of Cascades who have cracked the score sheet in recent weeks. Rookie midfielder Harry Owen has been brilliant for UFV down the left flank, while Tammer Byrne (the youngest of the Cascades’ three Byrne brothers) is making a place for himself amidst the back four.
“We have tactics that we use to combat an excellent team like UBC,” said coach Alan Errington, “and we always compete well against them. It’s a big game so the players get up for it, and we’re really looking forward to playing them. Of course, we’ll have a better idea of where we stand after Friday’s game against Trinity.”
Schedule:
Friday:
WSOC: 5 pm UFV Cascades @ TWU Spartans
MSOC: 7 pm UFV Cascades @ TWU Spartans
Sunday (Home Opener):
WSOC: 12 pm UBC Thunderbirds @UFV Cascades
MSOC: 2 pm UBC Thunderbirds @ UFV Cascades
**Cascades home games will be played at Abby Senior Secondary (33355 Began Avenue, Abbotsford) this year, instead of in Chilliwack.**
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