The University of Victoria Vikes men鈥檚 soccer team hasn鈥檛 kicked a ball in a meaningful way since the spring. But this is the time of year when varsity sports begin to awaken from their summer slumber.
It starts for the Vikes today, with an exhibition game at 2 p.m. at Centennial Stadium against the Peninsula College Pirates from Port Angeles. That is followed for the Pirates by another friendly Sunday at 11 a.m. in Nanaimo against the Vancouver Island University Mariners.
All three programs have been successful at their various levels. The Vikes have won five CIS national championships in their history and made it to the sa国际传媒 West Conference semifinals last season. The Mariners were national runners-up in the Canadian colleges championships last season and also in 2014 and 2012 while placing third in 2011 and winning the national title in 2010.
The Vikes are preparing for their sa国际传媒 West Conference opener Sept. 5 at UBC against the Thunderbirds. Notable returnees for the potentially potent Vikes include goalkeeper Noah Pawlowski, defender Rhyse Harnden, midfielders Tarnvir Bhandal, Adam Ravenhill, Sam Prette, Dominic Colantonio, Paulo Dait and forwards Cam Hundal, Craig Gorman, Michael Baart and Parm Johal.
Hundal and Gorman have been named co-captains by head coach Bruce Wilson.
鈥淲e are looking to leadership from them on and off the field,鈥� said Wilson, who began with 58 players in camp before whittling down to 26, including three goalkeepers.
Among the promising Vikes newcomers is Keevan Webb from Salt Spring Island, who played two seasons for Peninsula College and will have a deeper personal connection to today鈥檚 friendly.
鈥淸Webb] has been our biggest surprise at camp and will most likely get a starting position at the backs, since two of our graduated players from last season were defenders, including outgoing captain Alex Redpath,鈥� noted Wilson.
Another newcomer making an impact has been true freshman Isaac Koch from Kelowna.
鈥淜och has shown extremely well in the wide positions. This guy is going to be a five-year player for us,鈥� said Wilson.
Crease play will continue to be a source of strength for UVic because of six-foot-three Pawlowski, who came to UVic as a mature student out of Langara College.
鈥淗e is the No. 1 [CIS] goalkeeper in sa国际传媒,鈥� said Wilson.
Wilson may also have found fourth-year Pawlowski鈥檚 understudy, and eventual replacement, with true freshman goalkeeper Jas Lally out of Panorama Ridge Secondary in Surrey.
鈥淲e have a nice roster mix this season of veterans and newcomers,鈥� Wilson said.
The Vikes also have exhibition games upcoming against VIU, Kwantlan College of Surrey, and VISL Division 1 sides Lakehill, Bays United and Saanich Fusion.
鈥淲e should have a pretty good idea of where we are by the time we hit UBC for our sa国际传媒 West opener,鈥� said Wilson.
Facing the Vikes and Mariners on the Island tour is a Peninsula College team that has won three Northwest Athletic Conference championships and six West Division titles within the conference.
Meanwhile, the Vikes women鈥檚 soccer game scheduled today against Langara College has been cancelled.
