Victoria, BC – It is a loaded week for the University of Victoria athletics as the men's and women's soccer team play their annual Thunderfest games, the women's rugby team plays their final home game of the regular season, and the women's field hockey and men's rugby teams kick off their seasons.
 
Men's Soccer (1-1)
Friday, September 11 at 5 p.m. & Sunday, September 13 at 3:15 p.m.
Vikes set to host the TRU WolfPack (4-0) and Trinity Western (1-3) at Centennial Stadium for their annual Thunderfest game.
 
Recap of Previous Games:

• In the season opener, the Vikes fell to the WolfPack 1-0.
• Dealing with 40 km/h winds, both teams took time to settle in. The WolfPack found the first clear break of the game as a ball squeaked through the Vikes' backline for a point-blank shot.  Callum Weir denied the breakaway, making a diving save to keep the game scoreless.
• Thompson Rivers opened the scoring in the 65th minute as they capitalized on a turnover in the Vikes' end and headed home a long cross to make it 1-0 as the game approached the midway point of the second half.
• Despite an offensive push to find the equalizer, the Vikes were unable to find the back of the net to bring the game level.
• In the second game of opening weekend, the Vikes righted the ship in a 4-0 victory over the UBCO Heat.
• In the 21st minute, Jack Napier-Ganley fed a beautiful pass through the box to a cutting Evan Larson, who buried the Vikes' first goal of the season. Victoria's fast start was rewarded as Larson's marker gave the Vikes a quick 1-0 lead.
• Persistent pressure paid off as Evan Larson broke through the Heat's backline, streaking towards the goal with only one defender to beat. Larson feathered a pass across the box to Felipe Morales Moya for a tap-in goal. Moya's first goal in blue and gold put the Vikes ahead 2-0 just before extra time in the first half.
• Late in the second half, Mattheus Achadinha created a turnover deep in the Heat's end. He turned it into a two-on-one rush but smartly slowed the pace and found Jag Zaharia coming in late for a point-blank opportunity that Zaharia made no mistake with.
• Before the Heat could find their composure after the Vikes' third goal, Mattheus Achadinha and Jag Zaharia connected again with a long through ball from Achadinha to the streaking Zaharia. The quality pass propelled Zaharia into a rush against multiple Heat defenders. Zaharia blasted a shot from just inside the 18-yard box and into the top corner, leaving the stadium stunned. Zaharia's back-to-back goals secured the Vikes' 4-0 win.

 
Game Previews:

• Before the season-opening loss to TRU, the Vikes held a six-game winning streak against the WolfPack. The program record of this matchup is now tied at 7-7-3.
• Currently riding a five-game winning streak against the Spartans, the Vikes historically have plenty of success in their matchup with Trinity Western. In their last 10 matchups, Victoria has bested TWU 8 times.

 
Women's Soccer
Friday, September 11 at 7:15 p.m. & Sunday, September 13 at 1 p.m.
Vikes will open their season at home against the TRU WolfPack (2-0) and Trinity Western (1-1) in their annual Thunderfest game.
 
Season Preview:

• Coming in at fourth in the Canada West preseason coaches' poll, the Vikes will look to improve on their five-win campaign a season ago. Returning what is still considered a young group, they will rely on their veteran leaders to propel the Vikes to a fast start in Canada West play. Many of the notable offensive stars like Ruby Nicholas, Abby McDonald, and Brianne McLeish return to a front line that should be formidable in league play. The Vikes are optimistic their young group will continue to grow and build towards a banner season in 2026. ​

 
Game Previews:

• The Vikes look to stay perfect at home against the TRU WolfPack as they bring their 8-0 home record to their Friday night game. Under Head Coach Tracy David, the Vikes are 14-1-1 in this matchup.
• Historically a tough matchup for Victoria, the Vikes are 7-26-7 against the Spartans. The last matchup between these two resulted in a 2-2 tie on Oct. 11, 2025.

 
Women's Rugby (1-0)
Saturday, September 12 at 1 p.m.
Vikes will host Lethbridge at Wallace Field for their final regular-season home game of the season.
 
Last Game Recap:

• The Vikes took down provincial rival UBC Thunderbirds, 43-25, in the season opener on September 9 at Wallace Field.
• In the third minute, the Vikes were the first to make a charge on offence. A strong push up the middle got the Vikes deep in the Thunderbirds' zone.  The ball was kicked out to Olivia Newsome, who dashed into the try zone with little resistance. Newsome, who had herself an all-star level 7s season, made an emphatic start to this provincial rivalry. Maggie Mackinnon finished off the kick to give the Vikes an early 7-0 lead over the Canada West preseason top seed, UBC.
• It did not take long for Newsome to add to her imprint on the game. Newsome grabbed the ball from Kyla Warren at midfield and broke outside the Thunderbird defenders. Newsome sprinted down the sideline untouched and into the try zone for her second try in the first ten minutes. The try put the Vikes in front 12-0 nine minutes into the match.
• Sarah MacPherson capped off a long Thunderbirds' offensive possession as she converted a penalty to grab three points, bringing UBC within eight.
• Cypress Des Ormeaux Schmidt chased down the ball off a Thunderbirds turnover and broke through midfield on a clear breakaway. Cypress danced her way into the try zone for her first try as a Vike in 15s. Olivia Newsome nailed the conversion to retake momentum and extend the Vikes' lead to 19-3.
• In the 36th minute, the Thunderbirds barrelled their way over the try line to score their first of the Canada West season. The score brought the T-Birds back, making the score 19-8 as the game approached halftime.
• Eight minutes into the second half, Cypress Des Ormeaux Schmidt kicked the ball down the UBC side and beat the UBC defenders to the loose ball. As Cypress seized possession, there was no T-Bird left to beat, and she glided into the try zone for her second of the game. The score energized the large crowd and put the Vikes up 24-8 with just over a half hour to play.
• In the 62nd minute, the Thunderbirds found the try zone for the second time in the match, cutting into the Vikes' lead. Just three minutes later, UBC was back on the attack. With the T-Birds on the brink of scoring another try, the Vikes made a push on defence. The Thunderbirds scored and brought the Vikes' lead to single digits for the first time since the beginning stages of the match.
• In the 70th minute, Maddy Grant took over. Grant showed off her speed, bursting through T-Bird defenders for her first try of the game. Just four minutes later, Grant caught a pass from Emilie Brett and would not be taken down. Grant scored her second try and converted her second kick, scoring 14 points herself in five minutes.
• With time set to expire, UBC punched in one last try, bringing the final score to 43-25 for the Vikes.

 
Game Preview:

• Riding a 28-game win streak against the Pronghorns, the Vikes will look to make it a 2-0 start to the season.
• Historically, the Vikes are 42-8 in this matchup, 17-5 when the games are played in Victoria.

 
Women's Field Hockey
Saturday, September 12 at 10 a.m. & Sunday, September 13 a.m.
Vikes will travel to Calgary to take on the Dinos in their season opener.
 
Season Preview:

• The Vikes open the season after winning the Canada West title and U SPORTS silver medal a season ago.
• The Vikes will be without Canada West Player of the Year and U SPORTS Championship MVP Libby Hogg, as she has graduated, but will return a veteran core that will be the backbone of the squad. The returners are highlighted by Maeve Connorton, Julia Boraston, and Katie Bentley.

 
Game Preview:

• The Vikes should be thrilled to start the season facing the Dinos, as historically they have the big edge in this matchup. As a program, the Vikes hold a 51-5-8 record against Calgary.

 
Men's Rugby
Saturday, September 12 at 2:30 p.m.
The Vikes will travel to Vancouver to kick off their season against the UBC Thunderbirds.
 
Game Preview:

• The Vikes will look to carry over their success from last year's playoff run, where they bested the Thunderbirds 37-22 in the BC Premier League Playoffs.
• This matchup is not historically a favourable one for Victoria, as UBC holds a 4-28 head-to-head record.

 
Get your tickets here or catch the game on Canada West TV presented by BioSteel.