The University of Victoria Vikes are in a bit of a rebuild era in women鈥檚 soccer.
鈥淲e are still trying to establish who we are,鈥� said head coach Tracy David. 鈥淎nd we are about to find out real quick.鈥�
No kidding.
Opening the sa国际传媒 West regular season today against the defending CIS national champion UBC Thunderbirds, at 2 p.m. at Centennial Stadium, is about to bring to the Vikes some very rapid self-identity.
The Thunderbirds are top-ranked in the CIS to start the 2016 season.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a big test right off the bat. But we have to play [the Thunderbirds] sometime, so why not right away?鈥� said David, of the ordeal by fire off the top.
Not that UVic hasn鈥檛 been among the sa国际传媒 West elite itself, having made the playoffs the past five consecutive seasons and 13 of the 15 years David has coached the Vikes.
UVic did not make the national CIS top-10 poll but was rated No. 4 in the sa国际传媒 West pre-season coaches poll behind UBC, Trinity Western and Calgary in the 16-team conference.
The Vikes鈥� strength is on the back line, where most of the veterans play.
David cited 2015 sa国际传媒 West second-team all-stars and fifth-year returnees Lindsay Machin, the centre back, and Meaghan Storie, the goalkeeper. She also pointed to fifth-year defender and Claremont-grad Samantha Lee.
That back side of our team is really important for us,鈥� said David.
鈥淲e are going to heavily rely on those players.鈥�
Offence will be more problematic.
鈥淲e have a few issues generating opportunities,鈥� said David.
鈥淲e are going to have to capitalize on our chances.鈥�
Most capable of doing that are sophomore striker and Stelly鈥檚 Secondary graduate Kiara Kilbey and former Pac-12 University of Oregon Ducks fifth-year attacking-midfielder Mia Gunter.
Nothing will come without dedication, effort and focus for this team, added the bench boss.
鈥淲e have to be committed to really working hard every game. We can鈥檛 take any team lightly,鈥� said David.
Whatever the Vikes get this year, they will have to earn it with some old-fashioned sweat and elbow grease.
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