VICTORIA – The University of Victoria men's soccer team will kick off its 2024-25 season at home on Friday, August 23, at 7:15 p.m. against Thompson Rivers University.

The 2023 Canada West Coach of the Year, Larry Stefanek, begins his third season at the Vikes helm. The team is coming off a solid 2023 campaign, where they finished with an 11-5-2 record, exceeding preseason expectations and advancing to the Canada West semifinals. Their run was halted by a narrow overtime loss to the eventual conference champions, Mount Royal University.

With the core of their starting line-up returning, the Vikes remain one of the youngest teams in the conference. But in that youth lies a wealth of potential which could make for an exciting year.

Key returners

Fifth-year team captain and U SPORTS All-Canadian Javier Sagaste is back to lead the Vikes after a standout 2023-24, where he topped the team charts in goals, assists, and points, tallying seven in each category for a total of 14 points. His six assists in regular season play were the best in the league, while his six goals ranked third in Canada West, earning him a spot as a Canada West First Team All-Star.

Joining Sagaste are North Vancouver's Tugwell brothers, Fin (Canada West All-Star) and Archie, as well as Canada West All-Rookie team members Aiden Grew and Matthew Pearse. Grew, a left-footed defender from Victoria's Lambrick Park, will make up part of the Vikes lockdown defensive backline, while Pearse will play a crucial role offensively.  

"Matthew Pearse has an amazing physicality and ability to score, which will be really important for us as we look to control the direction of the game and get points on the board early this season," said Stefanek.

Canadian national team futsal goaltender Callum Weir also makes his return following a tremendous off-season training with Pacific FC and getting called up for a short-term replacement contract in June. Entering his sophomore season, Weir behaves more like a veteran athlete, acting as a team leader and calling the shots from between the pipes.

Off-season additions

Victoria's Cole Michel, a standout at St. Michael's University School, will add height and depth to the Vikes' frontline. Michel, a 6'1" striker, played overseas in Hungary and Serbia before moving to the island in 2006 and joining the Vancouver Island Wave program.

Jacob Thomas of Victoria is another defender looking to crack the match-day squad, hoping to contribute to the Vikes already strong back line. Tristan Cornwell, originally from Thunder Bay, O.N., spent the off-season playing for Harbourside F.C., making huge improvements and, at 6'3", can hopefully step in and contribute offensively.  

Coaches notes

"The goal this year is to continue building on last season, making small improvements and refining our adaptability and flexibility. We need to remain solid defensively and continue not conceding while finding offensively consistent ways to score goals."

"We're going to be expected to do well and we're excited about that pressure to perform. We play most of our games on the road this season, so I'm excited to see how we do on the road and if we can control and dictate the game, building on last year and taking things to the next level," said Stefanek.

2024-25 Schedule