VICTORIA, B.C. – Two-time CIS Coach of the Year Bruce Wilson enters his 25th year as head coach of the University of Victoria Vikes men's soccer program. Wilson starts this milestone year coming off a memorable 2011 season where the Vikes posted a 10-2-2 Canada West record and went 3-0 on home soil to win UVic's fifth Sam Davidson Memorial trophy.
2012 MEN'S SOCCER ROSTER / FULL SCHEDULE
Throughout the 2011 regular season, the depth of the Vikes side validated their own seed at the Victoria-hosted national tournament. The Vikes men entered the Canada West Final Four after going undefeated for 12 consecutive matches.
Among the key returnees for the year are second year midfielders Cam Hundal (Terrace, B.C.) and Craig Gorman (Victoria). The 2011 rookie-duo caught lots of eyes last season with Hundal picking up Canada West Rookie of the Year honours and being named the 2011 CIS Tournament MVP. Gorman was third in points in the Canada West and was named a Canada West First Team All-Star.
Defensively, the Vikes are backed by fifth year David Adams (Surrey, B.C.), who will also captain the team. Defender Gavin Barrett (Richmond, B.C.) will be another key player in the defensive lineup along with the return of defender Bobby Eng (Richmond, B.C.), who missed out on last year's Championship after suffering a broken leg in a late regular season game. Fourth-year netminder Elliot Mitrou will be back for another year after last season's 0.897 save percentage and leading the Canada West with a 0.67 goals against average.
The Vikes will boast strong freshman talent in local midfielders Gareth Langdon (Victoria), Sam Pretty (Victoria), and Adam Ravenhill (Victoria), as well as Langara College transfer Cameron Stokes (Richmond, B.C.).
The Vikes kick off their Canada West season with a double-header at Centennial Stadium, against the UNBC Timberwolves on Sept. 7-8. Both games will be at 7:15 p.m. and broadcast live at http://uvic.canadawest.tv
For ticket information please visit http://govikesgo.com/tickets
SCOUTING THE UNBC TIMBERWOLVES
2011 CW Record: N/A
Last Weekend: N/A
Last Meeting: UVic 4 UNBC 3 (Exhibition Aug. 23, 2012)
The UNBC Timberwolves are one of three new men's soccer programs to join the Canada West. With the addition of UNBC along with Mount Royal and Winnipeg, the Canada West restructured to a Prairie and Pacific Division and increased the number of games per team to15 in the six-team Prairie Division, while the five-team Pacific Division will play 14.
The Prince George based Timberwolves have already squared off once against the 2011 CIS Champions, the UVic Vikes, in pre-season exhibition on Aug. 23. The Timberwolves went up on the Vikes 2-0 thanks to goals from Sourosh Amani and rookie Jared Dillabaugh. The Vikes netted three consecutive goals and defeated the Timberwolves 4-3.
Led by head coach Alan Alderson, in his first season, the UNBC Timberwolves have started their Canada West campaign in good fashion. The Timberwolves downed Victoria Highlanders prospects team 3-0, while dropping a 2-0 decision to the Vancouver Island University Mariners during their August Island pre-season tour. The Timberwolves also edged out Grand Prairie 1-0.
The team is led by sole fifth year striker Danny Dell, as well as defender Amani, who has contributed considerable minutes already in pre-season.
