The University of Manitoba Bisons women鈥檚 soccer team knows exactly where it will be Nov. 9-12. It will be right at home. The Bisons are hosting the U Sports national championship tournament for the first time.
The University of Victoria Vikes would like to be there, too. But they won鈥檛 get an automatic bye into the nationals like the Bisons. There鈥檚 no home cookin鈥� for the Vikes, who will have to earn their way in.
That process continues today at 5 p.m. at Centennial Stadium when the Vikes (1-1-1) take on undefeated Manitoba (1-0-1) in sa国际传媒 West action.
鈥淭he Bisons are getting ready to perform at nationals,鈥� said Tracy David, head coach of the Vikes.
鈥淟ast year, they reached the sa国际传媒 West Final Six for the first time. They are well organized, defend in numbers, and have a counter attack that can hurt you. They work hard and play well in their system.鈥�
The Vikes were ranked in the U Sports national top-10 last week after beginning the season with a 1-0 upset over the highly regarded UBC Thunderbirds. UVic, however, tumbled out of the top-10 just as fast after gaining only one of a possible six points in a difficult swing last weekend through the Lower Mainland that included a 2-2 tie against a very good Fraser Valley Cascades team in Abbotsford and a 2-1 loss against Trinity Western in Langley on a late goal in the 82nd minute against a Spartans team that was then ranked No. 3 in the country.
鈥淚n the first half, I thought we were the better side against Trinity Western, and our only mistake was not scoring,鈥� said David.
鈥淭hat gave Trinity Western confidence and the momentum swung in the second half.鈥�
The chances have been there for a youthful but energetic Vikes side, but finishing has been an issue.
鈥淲e have a young and exciting squad that plays up-tempo, with speed and high energy. We need to be willing to attack and have confidence in our attacking abilities,鈥� said David.
Among the youth brigade is defender Bria Christie, who has earned a starting spot as a true freshman out of Royal Bay Secondary. Her pace is evident in that she was the 400-metre hurdles champion last spring at the sa国际传媒 high school track and field championships.
鈥淪he has started for us as a freshman and has been tremendous,鈥� said David.
The Manitoba theme continues Saturday for the Vikes when they play the University of Winnipeg Wesmen (0-1-1) at 5 p.m. at Centennial Stadium.
It鈥檚 more of an Alberta vibe for the UVic Vikes men鈥檚 soccer homestand tonight against the MacEwan Griffins (1-3) of Edmonton at 7:15 p.m. and Sunday versus the Mount Royal Cougars (1-2-1) of Calgary at 2 p.m.
The Vikes are 1-4-1 and need to make a splash this weekend at home to climb back into the sa国际传媒 West playoff race.
鈥淲e should be in the mix in sa国际传媒 West,鈥� said UVic coach Bruce Wilson, of his talent pool.
鈥淏ut we need better starts. We have given up a goal in the first five minutes in three games this season and twice two goals in the first eight minutes. You are not going to win too many games in this sport by falling behind like that so early. We need to come out ready to play.鈥�
