The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades women's soccer team limped into the Canada West playoffs riding a three-game losing streak and an overall record of 6-51. But UVic Vikes coach Tracy David knows that the task tonight at Centennial Stadium will not be easy.
The Vikes and Cascades clash in the sudden-death quarter-final at 5 p.m. The winner will advance to the Final Four at the home of the highest remaining seeded team from the quarter-finals.
"Fraser Valley has a very good team," said David. "They will put some pressure on us and they will generate a lot of offence off their set pieces. They like to play a physical game but we can handle ourselves.
"We have to be a very committed team. We have to be strong with our tackles and we can't miss assignments. When you get to the playoffs, you can't win games by giving away goals."
The Vikes, ranked No. 5 by Canadian Interuniversity Sport, have a very deep team. They posted a record of 9-2-1 and finished second in Canada West to the Trinity Western Spartans. UVic outscored its opposition 47-6 while not allowing a goal in the first half.
"Our games against Fraser Valley always seem to be a bit messy," said Vikes' defender Amy Lawrence. "Fraser Valley probably doesn't have the most skilled team in Canada West but they work hard.
"Hopefully, at home, we can play our game and control it. We have a very good passing team that likes to control the ball.
"We want to advance to the Final Four so we can have a higher seeding for the nationals."
As the host team, the Vikes have already locked up a spot for the nationals, Nov. 8-11 at Centennial Stadium. The UVic team has only one CIS championship and that came in 2005.
In the only previous meeting this year at Fraser Valley, the Vikes came away with a 1-0 victory as Emma Greig tallied one of her 14 markers. Greig has a strong supporting cast with the likes of rookie Sarah Douglas, Lindsay Hoetzel and Jackie Harrison, who all connected for six goals.
Some of the offensive threats for the Cascades are Carly Neeson (four goals and four assists) and Paige Friesen (three goals and five assists).
In the other quarterfinals, Manitoba travels to Trinity Western, Alberta plays the University of B.C. and Saskatchewan meets Regina.
