Tale of the Weekend
 
VICTORIA – The key to success for the UVic Vikes men's soccer team in the 2017 season is simple: depth.
 
"Of the 24 players on the roster, I have no problem playing any of them, they are all relatively equal," said Vikes head coach Bruce Wilson. "There are one or two players that need to be on the field for sure but after that it is very even."
 
Nobody knows how important depth can be throughout the gruelling Canada West schedule more than the returning players on this Vikes squad, who saw a rash of injuries lead to them missing out on the playoffs for the first time in six seasons last year.
 
It will be a young Vikes roster that takes to the field this year with the goal of a playoff spot in mind and the team will be tested early when a pair of mainland rivals come to Victoria to start the season.
 
The schedule gets underway with a game this Friday, August 25 against the Trinity Western Spartans before the Vikes turn around and go up against the Fraser Valley Cascades on Saturday, August 26. Both games take place at 7:15 p.m. on the grass at Centennial Stadium.
 
Last Time Out
 
A difficult stretch in the middle of the season hampered the Vikes in 2016. Picking up just one point in six games may have ended their playoff aspirations but there were also more than enough positives throughout the year to build momentum coming into this season.
 
Earning a tie with the eventual fifth-place finishers in the country, the UBC T-Birds, launched the Vikes into a finish that saw them win two of their final three games in the season.
 
While there are some holes to fill in the lineup due to key players graduating at the end of 2016, UVic's offence should remain strong, with all but two players who scored a goal last season returning.
 
Key to the offence's success will be fifth-year midfielder Paulo Dait who led the team with eight points last season, as well as third-year Vike Isaac Koch who recorded six goals in the eight games he played in last year.
 
The offence will need to find it's form early as both Trinity Western and Fraser Valley qualified for the playoffs last season on the strength of formidable defence, finishing 2016 in seventh and third respectively in the conference when it came to goals against.
 
By The Numbers
 
9: The number of new players on the Vikes roster this year.
10: The Vikes picked up ten of their 16 points on home turf last season.
16: Fourth-year defender Mackenzie Rigg is the only returning Vike to have played in all 16 conference games last season.
 
Coach's Take
Bruce Wilson, Vikes head coach
 
On starting his 30th year as head coach of the Vikes
 
"It's a job where I have never had a bad day at work. I like going to work, to training, seeing the players every night. It has been an absolutely perfect continuation from my professional career as a player. For thirty years it has been great."
 
"This year going into our first game, one thing for sure is that we are healthy, we have a full roster to choose from."
 
"Our conference is as strong as it's ever been, there are no easy teams. Which makes for a good league."
 
Game Info
 
Friday, Aug. 25 – 7:15 p.m. – vs. Trinity Western Spartans
Watch live on canadawest.tv 

2016 Information
Trinity Western Spartans (9-5-2)
Canada West Standings: 4 (Pacific 2)
Canada West Playoffs: 2-1 (3 Canada West)
Last Canada West Title: 2007
Last U SPORTS Title: N/A
 
Saturday, Aug. 26 – 7:15 p.m. – vs. Fraser Valley Cascades
Watch live on canadawest.tv

2016 Information
Fraser Valley Cascades (8-6-2)
Canada West Standings: T-6 (Pacific 3)
Canada West Playoffs: 0-1 ( T-8 Canada West)
Last Canada West Title: N/A
Last U SPORTS Title: N/A
 
Vikes Men's Soccer Preview
 
2016 CW regular season record: 5-10-1, 6th in Pacific Division
2016 post-season record: /
 
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2009 / 13
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships Year: 2011 / 5
 
2016 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 23 goals, 8th
Defence: 31 goals against, 11th
 
2016 CW regular season leaders:
Goals: 6 – Isaac Koch, MID
Assists: 3 – Paulo Dait, MID
Points: 8 – Paulo Dait, MID
Wins: 4 – Noah Pawlowski, GK
Shutouts: 2 – Noah Pawlowski, GK
 
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Will Adams / MID / 1 / Victoria, B.C. / Reynolds Secondary
Josh Lamothe / D / 1 / Victoria, B.C. / Reynolds Secondary
Ian Whibley / Fd / 1 / Errington, B.C. / Ballenas Secondary
 
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Adam Ravenhill / D / Victoria, B.C. / 5
Noah Pawlowski / GK / Victoria, B.C. / 4
Samuel Prette / F / Victoria, B.C. / 5