As sure as the cherry blossoms and cruise ships appear each spring, so does the Keg Cup men’s and women’s university soccer tournament. It’s been quite a run, as the 32nd edition kicks off today and concludes Sunday at Centennial Stadium.
Both the University of Victoria Vikes women’s and men’s teams come into hosting the tournament following some encouraging results.
The women’s team showed those who measure everything in university sports against the U.S.-based NCAA Div. 1 that they can run with anybody. UVic, Canada West runners-up and top-five nationally in U Sports last season, finished its recent tour by going 1-1-1 against NCAA Div. 1 teams with a 2-1 victory over Florida International University, 1-1 draw against Florida Gulf Coast University and 2-1 loss to Florida Atlantic University.
The men’s Vikes are coming off a 10-day training camp in Phoenix, where they beat Benedictine University 2-0 and a Phoenix select side 6-1 before losing to 2-1 to Sporting Arizona of the semi-professional United Premier Soccer League. The latter club’s alumni list includes the likes of Honduras Olympian and two-time World Cup player Roger Espinoza of MLS Sporting Kansas City and Nick DeLeon of D.C. United of the MLS.
That final fixture of the Phoenix camp was an eye-opener for any of the Vikes players looking to take their game to the next level. UVic, however, held its own against the pros.
“It was a great game, game back and forth, and we missed some chances while their goalkeeper made some good saves,” said UVic head coach Bruce Wilson.
“We matched them step for step. They were pleased with the competition we gave them. It was a great experience, and without a doubt, opened eyes for some of our guys about what it takes to be a pro.”
Singled out for special praise was UVic’s dynamic attacking-midfielder Isaac Koch.
“Isaac tore through [Sporting Arizona] and even the Arizona coach mentioned him,” said Wilson, the former Canada World Cup captain, entering his 31st season of guiding the Vikes.
“I can see Isaac Koch being a top goal scorer in Canada West in his upcoming final two years of eligibility for us.”
Since the Canada West and U Sports soccer seasons are in the fall, the annual Keg Spring Cup provides both Wilson and UVic women’s head coach Tracy David an opportunity to say a final farewell to the graduating seniors while looking over the returning players ahead of training camp in August.
“It’s a passing of the torch in many ways,” David said.
“While some of the seniors are away on co-op, it’s a great opportunity for us to give those seniors who are here an appreciative thank you and send-off. For the younger players, it’s an opportunity to start afresh and show what they have and to get a preview of next season’s team.”
The same holds true for the other teams invited to the Keg Spring Cup.
“Every [Canada West] team wants to come to this tournament. It’s amazing the number of requests we get,” Wilson said.
“We [Vikes] are saying goodbye to two seniors, Tarnvir Bhandal and Paulo Dait, both great players. The returnees are playing for spots for next season. I will talk to players after the tournament. Some will be asked back [next season] and some won’t be. We are looking not bad, and very interesting, for next season.”
The Keg Spring Cup men’s tournament opens today at noon with the defending Canada West champion UBC Thunderbirds taking on the Trinity Western Spartans in a rematch of the conference final won by the Thunderbirds in extra time.
The Vikes play the University of Fraser Valley Cascades at 4 p.m. today.
The men’s consolation game is Sunday at noon with the final at 4 p.m.
The women’s side of the tournament is loaded with Canada West champion Trinity Western, conference runner-up Vikes, conference regular-season champion Alberta Pandas and Canada top-four UBC. The teams were a combined 38-8-10 in Canada West last season.
Trinity Western and UBC open the festivities this morning at 10, with UVic meeting Alberta at 2 p.m.
The women’s consolation final is Sunday at 10 a.m. and the final at 2 p.m.
