VICTORIA, B.C. -  The University of Victoria women's soccer team will lift the lid on the 2022-23 season with a weekend series Friday, Aug. 26 against Trinity Western University and Saturday, Aug. 27 at the University of the Fraser Valley.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Game 1
Vikes at Trinity Western Spartans
Friday, Aug. 26 | 7 p.m. | Chase Office Field
Watch: Canada West TV
 
Game 2
Vikes at Fraser Valley Cascades
Saturday, Aug. 27 | 5:30 p.m. | Rotary Stadium
Watch: Canada West TV
 
SERIES HISTORY 
Against the Spartans: Trinity Western has won the last five meetings between the two sides, dating back to the 2019-20 season. The Vikes' last win against TWU came Oct. 20, 2018 at Centennial Stadium in 2-1 fashion. Last matching up in the Canada West quarterfinals, the Spartans took a 1-0 win over the Vikes Oct. 30, 2021.
 
Against the Cascades: Victoria enters the weekend with a 1-1-3 record in the last five meetings against UFV. Both matchups between the Vikes and Cascades during the 2021 season resulted in 0-0 draws.
 
NEWS & NOTES

• The Vikes open the 2022 season on the road, spending the first three games away from Victoria beginning with matches at Trinity Western and Fraser Valley this weekend, Aug. 26-27.
• Victoria was ranked sixth in the annual Canada West Coaches Poll. This weekend's opponents, Trinity Western and Fraser Valley, were ranked second and sixth, respectively.  
• In 2021, the Vikes posted a 4-6-3 overall record, and 4-5-3 mark in conference play.
• Emma Skalik, the 2021 team leader in points (5), who also tied for the team lead in goals (3) and assists (2), highlights the Vikes' returners for 2022.
• Other notable returnees for Victoria include Trinity Kettyls, Tess Vande Vegte, and Dari Coté, who, along with Skalik, combined to produce 15 of the Vikes' 24 points last season (62.5%).
• Overall, the Vikes return players who produced 19-of-24 points in 2021 (79%).
• In net, Kayley Lidstone returns after posting five shutouts and four wins in 2021.
• Trinity Western is the defending Canada West champion, posting a 16-1-1 overall record and 11-0-1 Canada West mark in 2021. Advancing to the title game at the U SPORTS championships, the Spartans fell to conference foe MacEwan University to finish second in the nation.
• TWU returns 2021 First Team All-Canadian and team leader in goals (9) and assists (8) Anna Dunn, along with Canada West All-Star Tilly James who tied for third in team scoring with five goals and two assists last season.
• Fraser Valley finished the 2021 campaign with a 6-5-2 record, going 6-4-2 in league play.
• The Cascades return Hannah Gamble to the 2022 roster, the team's leader in goals scored (3) in 2021.