VICTORIA, B.C. - The University of Victoria men's soccer team opens the 2022 season at UBC Okanagan and Thompson Rivers University, Aug. 26-27.
GAME INFORMATION
Game 1
Vikes at UBCO Heat
Friday, Aug. 26 | 6 p.m. | Nonis Sports Field
Watch:
Canada West TV
Game 2
Vikes at Thompson Rivers WolfPack
Saturday, Aug. 27 | 7 p.m. | Hillside Stadium
Watch:
Canada West TV
SERIES HISTORY
Against the Heat: The Vikes are 3-2 in their last five matchups against UBCO. Splitting the 2021 series, the Vikes took game one, 1-0, and dropped game two, 1-0, in Kelowna, B.C.
Against the WolfPack: Holding a 1-3-1 record in the last five matchups against TRU, 2021 saw the Vikes finish in a 1-1 draw and 1-0 loss at Centennial Stadium against the WolfPack.
NEWS & NOTES
- The Vikes open the 2022 season on the road with their first four matches away from Victoria, beginning with this weekend's matchups at UBCO and TRU, Aug. 26-27.
- 2022 will mark the Vikes' first season under new head coach Larry Stefanek, who took over the program following Bruce Wilson's retirement in December 2021.
- In the annual Canada West Coaches Poll, the Vikes were picked to finish seventh by the league's coaches. TRU was selected fifth in the poll, while UBCO came in at 11.
- The Vikes are coming off a 9-6-3 record in 2021, which included a 6-3-3 mark in Canada West play that captured the pacific division title. Advancing to the Canada West title game, UVic ultimately claimed a runner-up finish in the conference and secured its first appearance at the U SPORTS national championships since the 2015 season.
- Javier Sagaste will look to fill the void left by the graduations of Isaac Koch, Ian Whibley, and Evan Libke. Sagaste's three goals in 2021 mark the most by any Vike on the current roster.
- UVic transfer Sam McDonald will look to make his Vikes debut against his former team Friday night. A four-year member and former team captain of the Heat, McDonald ranks second all-time in UBCO history with seven goals and seventh all-time in games started at 49.
- UBCO finished the 2021 season with a 2-6-4 record, narrowly missing out on a spot in the playoffs.
- The Heat will boast a young squad in 2022, having just three players with three or more years of eligibility under their belts.
- Thompson Rivers is coming off a 4-4-5 campaign in 2021, posting a 4-3-5 record in Canada West play.
- The WolfPack return their core group in 2022, and will be bolstered by the defence of Jan Pirretas Glasmacher who helped the WolfPack to allow just 10 goals in 12 league games in 2021.
