University soccer teams race through the regular season like they’re on a swift counterattack toward the post-season. With a schedule that lasts just six weeks for the women and seven for the men, the University of Victoria Vikes are already gearing up for playoffs at the end of the month.
“It is a very unforgiving season,” UVic women’s coach Tracy David said. “I’ve been doing it for years, and it’s still tough.
“It’s extreme pressure. You can’t really afford any bumps along the road.”
The nice part for the Vikes teams is they’re both in good positions as the Canada West season winds down. The women, who play the Regina Cougars (4-4-1) and Saskatchewan Huskies (6-1-2) in their final home games of the regular season this weekend, are in fourth place in the league at 6-2-0, behind Alberta and UBC. With eight of 13 teams making the playoffs, the Vikes wind up the schedule next week in Winnipeg jostling for home-field advantage.
“What we’re trying to do is get in a position where we can host a playoff game,” David said. “To play on grass, to play on our field, that’s where we’re looking to go.”
So far, the Vikes have yet to be defeated on the grass at Centennial Stadium, and they’d like to continue the streak tonight against Regina, and Saturday when they face Saskatchewan. Both matches begin at 5 p.m.
Describing it as a pivotal playoff weekend, David said the Cougars are no slouches, and the Huskies have been on a roll.
“Saskatchewan has taken points off all the teams traditionally considered to be strong,” David said. “We’re happy to be playing both teams at home on our pitch. We want to use that to our advantage.”
While the Vikes women are on home ground this weekend, the men are off to the Prairie Division to play the Saskatchewan Huskies (7-3-0) on Saturday, and the Alberta Golden Bears (4-3-2) on Sunday. Currently in second place in the Pacific Division, behind UBC (9-1-0), the Vikes (6-2-0) have six games remaining on their schedule.
“It’s been a very, very successful year so far, with the exception of the UBC games,” Vikes coach Bruce Wilson said, referring to his team’s only losses.
The Vikes have a good chance to finish in first or second, and could meet Saskatchewan and Alberta in the post-season, as the top three teams in each division advance.
“If you take Saskatchewan, Alberta, UBC and us, I think there’s not a lot between us.”
What’s stood out for the Vikes this year is not just the strong core of senior players, such as goalkeeper Elliot Mitrou and defender Andrew Ravenhill, but the contribution that’s come from the younger group.
“Our training sessions are very competitive,” Wilson said, pointing out the considerable contributions of second- and third-year players.
With six goals, Cam Stokes is second in league scoring, tied with Saskatchewan’s Brett Levis — fans will remember him from the Victoria Highlanders last summer.
Cam Hundal has added four goals (including three game winners), Sam Prette has a goal and three assists and Craig Gorman has three goals and four assists.
The men play Lethbridge and Calgary at home next weekend, and finish the regular schedule in Prince George against UNBC the following week.
