CANADA WEST MVP TO LEAD VIKES SOCCER

By Mike Tucker

The defending Canada West champions UVic Vikes men’s soccer team will commence their title defence this weekend as conference play opens at Centennial Stadium.

Back at the helm for his 22nd season coaching the UVic men’s soccer team is 2008 Canada West Coach of the Year Bruce Wilson.

Last season the Vikes advanced to the Candian Interuniversity Sport National Championship for the first time in three years after Canada West MVP Cole McFarlane powered the Vikes past the Alberta Golden Bears 2-1 in the division semi-final.

Despite blazing past the Trinity Western Spartans to capture their first Canada West title since 2004, the side struggled at the CIS Championship with an opening round loss to the eventual champion York Lions.

Looking to overcome last year’s disappointment will be returning Canada West All Stars McFarlane, goalkeeper Dan Kilpatrick, defender Patrick Nelson and midfielder Sam Wingham.

McFarlane netted a league-high nine goals last season and will co-captain this year’s squad alongside the senior Wingham.

“Cole has been unbelievable for us,” Wilson said as his team gears up for this weekend’s season opener against Calgary and Lethbridge. “We look for leadership from him and we look for goals from him. He is an excellent player and has come into the preseason fit and keen.”

In addition to the All-Stars, the Vikes keep most of their lineup in tact from last season with eight of the 11 starters from last year’s conference final returning. Despite the core of his squad being made up of last season’s veterans, Wilson has learned in recent years not to take any of their conference opponents lightly.

“The Canada West division is a very difficult league to be in,” Wilson said before adding, “Twenty years ago we were guaranteed ten league games but not anymore. The league is very strong and if you don’t’ show up ready to play for every single game you’re going to lose points.”

Reinforcing his arsenal during the postseason, Wilson recruited some of Victoria’s finest players including Stelly’s Secondary’s Bobby Eng and Claremont Secondary’s Andrew Ravenhill. While a number of rookies have impressed the veteran coach, Eng has already secured a starting position in the Vikes defence.

With his lineup reinforced and key positions filled from last year’s graduating players, Wilson figures his side will be a strong contender for their second consecutive Canada West title.

“We fully expect to be in the playoff hunt and I’m pleased with our returning players. Right now we’re sitting in a pretty good position.”

The Vikes will kick off their Canada West title defence in a weekend double-header against the Calgary Dinos and Lethbridge Pronghorns. The Vikes will take on Calgary on Saturday before taking on Lethbridge on Sunday afternoon with both matches scheduled for 2:15 p.m. at Centennial Stadium.

Canada West conference schedule:

Sep 12, CALGARY 2:15 p.m. at Centennial Stadium
Sep 13, LETHBRIDGE 2:15 p.m. at Centennial Stadium
Sep 19, at Saskatchewan 2:15 p.m.
Sep 20, at Alberta 2:15 p.m.
Sep 26, UBC 2:15 p.m. at Centennial Stadium
Sep 27, TRINITY WESTERN 2:15 p.m. at Centennial Stadium
Oct 3, ALBERTA 2:15 p.m. at Centennial Stadium
Oct 4, SASKATCHEWAN 2:15 p.m. at Centennial Stadium
Oct 9, at Trinity Western 7:15 p.m.
Oct 10, at UBC 7:15 p.m.
Oct 17, FRASER VALLEY 2:15 p.m. at Centennial Stadium
Oct 24, at Lethbridge 2:00 p.m.
Oct 25, at Calgary 2:15 p.m.
Nov 7-8 Canada West Final Four – TBD
Nov 12-15 CIS Championship – Langley