VICTORIA, B.C. – The undefeated University of Victoria Vikes women's soccer team enter their second week of Canada West soccer with a 1-0-1 record and will travel to the mainland to play both UBC Okanagan and Thompson Rivers on Sept. 19 and 20, respectively. Both the Vikes and WolfPack enter the third week of play following a bye weekend and will be looking to capitalize on the extra rest time.
 
SCHEDULE  |  ROSTER

"We are coming off two very good weekends," said Tracy David, Vikes head coach, whose team went undefeated in opening week against UBC and Trinity Western and last week defeated the Whitecaps in exhibition play. "Every point matters since our season is only 12 games long and we can't take either of the teams we play this weekend lightly. They both know how to compete."
 
Throughout their bye weekend the Vikes hosted the Whitecaps, a team that boasts the best 17 and 18-year-old B.C. prospects. Veterans Jaclyn Sawicki and Mallory Hackett each scored in the 2-1 victory.
 
The week prior the currently No. 6-ranked Vikes hosted the now unranked UBC Thunderbirds and the No. 1 Trinity Western Spartans. The Vikes came through with a 2-1 win over the T-Birds and despite an early lead, drew 1-1 with the two-time CIS defending champions the Spartans.
 
With two good weekends in their back pocket, the Vikes look towards fellow Pacific Division teams UBC Okanagan and Thompson Rivers. The Heat are currently fifth in the division with a 0-2-2 record, while the WolfPack have two games in hand and hold a 0-2-0 record. To date UBC Okanagan has twice tied UNBC and lost last weekend to both Fraser Valley and Trinity Western. Meanwhile Thompson Rivers conceded a loss to both the Spartans and Cascades despite notching one goal against each.
 
This weekend the Vikes will be forced to play on field turf, an artificial surface that is bouncier and faster than their usual stadium grass fields. Despite the conditions, first-year goalkeeper Meaghan Storie has already proven her ability to adapt and handle a variety of pressures. The five-foot-seven net minder has already shown great strength in goal against both the Whitecaps and two top Pacific Division teams in UBC and Trinity Western.     
 
In the backfield, the Vikes will rely on solid contributions from second year Elise Butler, as well as third years Lindsay Machin and Samantha Lee. Through the mid line veterans Sawicki, Cassie Dennis and Carly Branion-Calles will provide the foundation for the group.
 
"We will need those three to lead us and bring their experience," said David about the combination of Sawicki, Dennis and Branion-Calles. "They each had a lot of playing time in their early years with the Vikes and so they remember what it is like to lose 3-0 to Trinity Western in Canada West play-offs (2011) and they remember all the ups and downs. They need to bring that experience and help keep us on track."
 
The trio of midfielders will be looking to spring the Vikes' two most lethal strikers - fourth year Emma Greig and third year Sarah Douglas. The two islanders provide just the right amount of offensive variety in speed, skill and vision to give the Vikes good fire power up front.
 
"We will need to get them ticking," added David about the importance of feeding the offensive pair and providing them opportunities to capitalize.
 
The Vikes will kick off this weekend on Sept. 19 at 4:00 p.m. against UBC Okanagan in Kelowna. The team will then regroup for a quick road trip and turnaround to visit the Thompson Rivers WolfPack on Sept. 20 at 12:30 p.m. in Kamloops. Live stats and video will be available at http://uvic.canadawest.tv
 
Scouting UBC Okanagan Heat
2014-15 CW Current Record: 0-2-2
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: PACWEST Bronze medal in 2013-14

Key returnees: M Marissa Klees, D Hayley Carlson, GK Christine Tallon, F Kirsten Dodds, M Michelle Smith, M Mairi Horth, M Paige Howes, D Justine Drosdovech
Key additions: GK Francessca Balletta, F Cassie Bratton, F Courtney Hemmerling, M Emma Nelsen, M Susan Traynor, D Jennifer Yamaoka
Key departures: D Jennifer Kidd, D Hayley Uyeyama, M Madeleine Greig, M Taylor Sarchet
 
Scouting the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack
2014-15 CW Current Record: 0-2-0
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: PACWEST Gold medal in 2013-14
 
Key returnees: M Bronwyn Crawford, GK Emily Edmundson, M Marlie Rittinger
Key additions: D Christine Fergin, D Sarah Seebach 
Key Departures: M Alanna Bekkering, D Laura Smylie