VICTORIA— After a bye weekend, the University of Victoria Vikes men's soccer team travels to Kelowna to take on UBC Okanagan on Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. and Thompson Rivers in Kamloops on Sept. 20 at 2 p.m.
The Vikes are 1-1-0 for the season, falling to CIS No. 1 ranked UBC Thunderbirds 3-1 and defeating Trinity Western 3-2 in their 2014 CIS opening weekend.
"We're very healthy," said Vikes head coach
Bruce Wilson, now in his 27
th year of coaching. "So while we're in good shape, Kelowna does present some challenges for our squad as UBC Okanagan plays on a turf field."
The artificial surface is bouncier and faster than grass.
UBC Okanagan are 3-1-0 for the season, collecting two surprising wins over Fraser Valley and Trinity Western on the road. UBC Okanagan's second-year forward Enzo Paal scored in each match, earning him Canada West's second star of week award.
Victoria look to third-year transfer from Langara College
Noah Pawlowski to keep their net goal-free against Paal.
"Pawlowski has been outstanding so far," said Wilson, adding "We need to perform offensively and defensively."
The senior squad won't have any trouble with full-field play. In their first two games, the Vikes saw goals scored from every position, with defender
Rhyse Harnden (1), midfielder
Cameron Stokes (1) and forward
Michael Baart (2) all contributing goals. Baart, a rookie, also earned his first start with the Vikes.
After the Saturday evening match, the Vikes travel to Kamloops to prepare for a 2 p.m. kick off against Thompson Rivers. While matches are usually scheduled with 24 hours between kick offs, the Vikes will need to bounce back quickly for Sunday's early start. "Our goal scorers must lead the team," said Wilson, looking to Stokes,
Craig Gorman and
Cam Hundal for points.
The Thompson River WolfPack are the newest CIS team, after being one of the top squads in Canadian Collegiate soccer the past few years. Former SFU and Vancouver 86'er John Antulov has taken over as head coach after sharing the position the last seven years.
The Vikes are back on the road the Sept. 27 and 28 weekend, traveling to Prince George for a double header with UNBC. Both matches start at 2:15 p.m.
Scouting the UBC Okanagan HeatCW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 13
th overall, 6
th in Pacific
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 Conference Record: N/A
Last CW Title: N/A
Last CIS Title: N/A
Key returnees: M Austin Jones, M Donal Straith, F Enzo Paal, D Dylan Abbott, D Joe Gill, GK Logan Ellis, D Harrison Shrimpton, F Jorden Leib
Key additions: D Shaun Pilcher, D Hans Kogan, D Ryan Jerry, M Cole Kingzett
Key departures: D Kennedy Hindley
, M Lucas Krivak, M Giovanni Carida, M Tanner Brydges, F Nicholas Gonzalez
Scouting the Thompson Rivers WolfPackCW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 14
th overall, 7
th in Pacific
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 Conference Record: N/A
Last CW Title: N/A
Last CIS Title: N/A
Note: Won PACWEST title in 2013
Key returnees: F Oriol Torres, D Corey Wallis, GK Travis Froehlich, M Brendon Mendez
Key additions: M Satinder Dhaliwal, M Colton Walker, D
Austin SchneebeliKey departures: M Justin Wallace
