VICTORIA - The UVic men's soccer team seems to be peeking at just the right time as they were added to the CIS rankings at the No.8 spot this week. The 2011 CIS National Championships hosts are coming off a six point weekend and are looking to build on their eight game unbeaten streak as the Vikes host Calgary and Lethbridge on Oct. 22 and 23, respectively.

ROSTER  /  SCHEDULE  /  STANDINGS

The UVic men had their biggest six point weekend on Oct. 15 and 16, as the veteran-laden squad defeated the previously only two top ten nationally ranked schools from the Canada West - Trinity Western and UBC. Spectacular finishes from #Corey Sanford#, #Craig Gorman# and #David Adams# put the Vikes 3-2 over the Spartans on Saturday. The Vikes dominated in offensive pressure but it was keeper #Elliot Mitrou# whose game-changing save at the 1-1 scoreline earned him game MVP honours. On Sunday, the Vikes weathered a wave of UBC pressure in the first half, only to turn the tides and net a worthy goal by rookie standout #Cam Hundal#. The second half tally would be good to stand as the game winner as the Vikes defeated the No. 1 CIS ranked Thunderbirds to secure second place in the conference.

Head coach #Bruce Wilson# is finally in a spot where he envisioned he could be at right from the start of the season. Wilson boasts two consistently strong goalkeepers, Mitrou and #Daniel Kilpatrick#, a 27-membered, injurey-free team composed of seven seniors, six fourth-years and three stellar rookies (Hundal, Gorman and #Thomas Malette#), who have netted a combined six UVic goals. Talk of the town for this squad has rightfully been about the UVic team's depth. Whether it be depth in height, from six-foot-five senior Peter Richmond to "the human pinball" rookie #Thomas Mallette# at five-foot-three, depth in genes, from Barrett brothers Lucas, Wes and Gavin, or depth in sheer talent, the Vikes have just what they need to qualify, host and be successful at the 2011 National Championships.

The Calgary Dinos are currently 5-4-1 and included in the tight race for the final playoff spots. Last weekend, the Dinos split the weekend losing 2-0 to Alberta and defeating Saskatchewan 1-0. Last time the Dinos and Vikes faced off, Victoria stole the show with a 3-0 win. The Dinos are led by Jeremy Jenkyns who has scored three goals in his eight games played, as well as keeper Colin Hasick who has an impressive five shutouts to his name.

The Lethbridge Pronghorns, with a record of 1-9, are at the bottom of the Canada West pool currently. Last weekend, the Horns were blanked 3-0 by both Saskatchewan and Alberta sending them on a four game losing streak but despite the loses, the Lethbridge squad have had solid performances from fifth-year keeper Colin Pattison, also captain of the team. With 11 returning and 15 newcomers, the Pronghorns are still continuing to juggle a team of both youth and experience.

SCOUTING THE CALGARY DINOS
2010 conference record: 8-4-2 (3rd)
2010 playoffs: 0-2
Last CW title: 1980?
Last CIS title: N/A
CIS ranking: N/A
CW ranking: #6
Key additions: Sean Daly, Jevan Bailey, Jordan Unreiner
Key returnees: Izak Lawrence, Devin Delany, Dustin Ruddell
Key departures: J.P. Crescenzi, Brian Delaney, Matt Reid

SCOUTING THE LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS
2010 conference record: 1-11-2 (8th)
2010 playoffs: N/A
Last CW title: N/A
Last CIS title: N/A
Key additions: Chris Rushworth (MF); Devin Diano (F), Scot Prokoptez (D)
Key returnees: Lucas Rajcic (D), Colin Pattison (GK), Justin Lariviere (D), Morgan Brownjohn (MF)
Key departures: Steve Brown (D), Andrew Malcolm (F/MF)