Women’s Soccer: It was home sweet home for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s soccer team. The ‘Pack finished off a six game home streak with a victory. They downed the Quest University Kermodes in PAC WEST play 1-0 at Hillside Stadium on Sunday (Oct 16). That gives the WolfPack a record of five wins, three ties and one loss in the PAC WEST Group “B”. It also meant that the WolfPack extended their unbeaten streak to seven matches. The last six at Hillside Stadium. “It was a really hard fought game, “ said WolfPack head coach Tom McManus. “I think it was one of the hardest fought games we had all year. They came out very well at us. Obviously Brianna Powrie and Madison Maloski wanted us to know that they are still very good players.” McManus was making reference to two Quest rookies who are graduates of the Kamloops Youth Soccer Association. Both have spent the last few years being taught by the WolfPack bench boss who doubles as the KYSA Head Coach. If the WolfPack were looking for excuses on why they wouldn’t play well in this match, they had a number of them. Their injuries ranks swelled by one during the warm up when 2nd year keeper Emily Edmundston (Kamloops, BC) tweaked a knee. That forced rookie Jamie Wheeler (Richmond, BC) into the nets. It was her first start since the first weekend of the season. Wheeler was coming back after contracting shingles. “Jamie did very well,”said McManus. “She was a little nervous at the beginning but once she got the first save, she was fine.” McManus gave credit to his back four: Madison Wells (1st year, Ladner, BC), Maddy Reid (4 th year, Kamloops, BC), Laura Smylie (2nd year, 150 Mile House, BC) and Vanessa Zilkie (1st year, Kelowna, BC) for being extra strong in front of her. “They played very tight. I have to give full credit to them,” said McManus. “ When you consider that the four of them are either midfielders or forwards, they are doing a great job. Very very happy.” The WolfPack got the only goal in the 44 th minute when rookie forward Taylor Miller (Kamloops, BC) was able to beat Quest keeper Kira De Leeuw (1st year, White Rock, BC). TRU dominated the second half with a number of different in direct kicks. One of the best came in the 57 th minute when Alanna Bekkering (3 rd year, midfielder, Kamloops, BC) laid the ball off for Smylie who sent a rocket to the far side of the field which was just out of the reach of midfielder Chloe McAuley (3rd year, Langley, BC). OFF SIDES: Zilkie was named the TRU Bookstore/McDonalds “Leader of the Pack” player of the match. Says McManus: “ Just outstanding. Here is a girl who has come in and really done well. She is usually a wide midfielder. She just wants to play hard. With her speed, she tracked players down and had an excellent game.” The WolfPack close out the PAC WEST regular season with matches at Capilano and VIU next week. Before the match, the WolfPack paid special tribute to their lone fifth year player. Midfielder Ashley Piggot (Prince George, BC) was given a framed game picture and flowers. Injured players for the TRU squad include Chianne Smith (Kamloops, BC): torn ACL, and Blair MacKay (Kamloops, BC): broken nose. Men’s Soccer: The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s soccer team won’t be falling out of the playoff picture without a fight. The WolfPack rebounded following a loss Saturday (Oct 15) to the Langara College Falcons with a 2-0 victory over the Quest University Kermodes. It was the WolfPack’s final home match of the 2011 PAC WEST Season. The victory gives the ‘Pack a record of three wins, three losses and three draws in PAC WEST Group ‘B. “The message to the boys today from the coaching staff today was worry about what we can control,” said WolfPack co head coach Sean Wallace. “What we can do right now is control our games and the outcome of it so that is what we are concentrating on.” The ‘Pack came out strong from the opening whistle. Jacob Kaay (2nd year, forward, Kamloops, BC) set the stage when he broke down the field and was hauled down before he could get a shot away. The WolfPack would get on the board in the 23 rd minute though. Conor Doherty (5th year, forward, Kamloops, BC) would get a penalty shot and beat Kermodes keeper Evan Cross (3rd year, Kelowna, BC). Doherty was one of three WolfPack seniors playing their final home match. That was the only goal of the first half. Doherty accounted for the other TRU goal in the 29 th minute. He was hauled down in the box and given another penalty shot. He made no mistake going lower left. After missing Saturday’s match with Langara due to a ‘red card,’ his offense was a welcomed addition. “We came out and did what we needed to do,” Doherty explained afterwards. “This game was huge for us. Getting the win is good. It was a pretty fun, I’ll tell you that.” Doherty and fellow fifth year players Adam Dodgson and Brynden Swint (both Kamloops, BC) were also instrumental in leading the WolfPack to victory. “ I think they all played pretty well,” said Wallace. “ Adam coming off the bench after being injured yesterday, Brynden was strong and Conor puts two penalty kicks away. As they have been for the five years they’ve been here, a big part of our team and we are going to miss them at the end of this year.” “This was a team effort today and that is what we have been preaching,” he added. “ We wanted them to believe in themselves today and not play for us. It was up to them. They controlled their own destiny and they played really well.” The WolfPack will close out the PAC WEST regular season next week with games on the road against Capilano and VIU, two teams they are battling with for playoff positions. THROW INS: The WolfPack coaching staff got all three seniors off the pitch before the end of the match. Each of them were given huge ovations. “ It was classy by the fans,”Wallace stated. “Some guys want to stay on the field until the end of the match. But I think we were in a situation where it wasn’t crucial that they be on there . It was nice. We also wanted to rest Adam as much as we could.” “It was pretty special for sure,” Doherty said about the ovation. “ We have been thinking about it. It (Hillside Stadium) has been a pretty good place for us. We have had a lot of success at home. It has been a pretty good five years. But the season isn’t over yet.” Dodgson said he thought about the final match a lot this weekend since he didn’t play on Saturday against Langara. “ I really wanted to play my home game. The coaches gave me about 75 minutes or so. I honestly didnt’ want to think about this being the final time today. Last night I didn’t sleep too much.” He too thanked the fans for the big ovation. “ I always want lots of fan support for all of our TRU teams. I love big crowds. We play well in front of big crowds. For me, I will keep watching these guys (TRU Soccer) and help out as much as I can as I transition into an alumni.” Before the second half, there were a number of awards. Cameron Kamensek (Delta,BC) and Brandon Mendez (Calgary, AB) were given the BMO Nesbitt Burns bursary by Ryan Dunne. Braeden Burrows (Kamloops, BC) was awarded the Pat O’ Brien scholarship and Swint was given the Mike Comte Memorial Bursary. Women’s Basketball: The host Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s basketball team finished second at their own 2011 BDO Canada tournament. The WolfPack lost to the only squad who went unbeaten through the four team tournament: the University of Alberta Pandas. The final score Sunday afternoon (Oct 16) at the Tournament Capital Center was 69-60. The Pandas finished at 3 and 0. TRU was at 2 and 1. “Both teams seemed a little tired,” said WolfPack head coach Scott Reeves. “We struggled to shoot the ball in the second quarter and the Pandas went on a run. That is a bad combination.” The Pack led 12-11 after the first quarter. But thanks to a 26-15 advantage in the second, Alberta led 37-27 at half time. TRu then outscored Alberta 16-15 in the third quarter. Alberta was led Anneka Bakker (4th year, forward, Ottawa, ON) who had 14 points. Kelly Lyons (3rd year, forward, Sarnia, ON) had 13 points with Saskia van Ginhoven (2nd year, forward, Edmonton, AB) contributing 12 points. Diane Schuetze (4th year, post, Vernon, BC) led the way for TRU with 17 points and six rebounds. Tracy Kocs (4th year, forward, Coquitlam, BC) had 12 points. “Diane really played well facing a lot of good defence,” added Reeves. “ Our rookies got some valuable minutes and I thought contributed. The effort was thre but the execution of our offense still needs some work.” The WolfPack were outrebounded 48-26. “You won’t win many games if that is the case,” Reeves explained. TRU has a little time off. But not much, they will hop a plane for Cape Breton and a four team tournament which begins Friday (Oct 21). TRU plays the host Cape Breton Capers in their first game. The WolfPack open up their 2011-12 Canada West season on November 4 th at the Tournament Capital Center as they meet up with the University of Fraser Valley Cascades. Tip off is 6 pm. Proceeds from the gate go to the CIBC Run for the Cure. DOUBLE DRIBBLES: McGill finished third in the tournament. Their 88-58 victory over the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds gave them a record of 1 and 2. UNB was 0-3. Men’s Volleyball: The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack swept the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in a pair of Canada West pre season men’s volleyball matches this weekend. On Saturday (Oct 15) at the historic TRU Gym, Pat Hennelly and company downed the Huskies 3-2. The scores were 25-22,18-25,22-25,25-23,15-12. “It was a really good team effort with almost everyone on the roster getting playing time,” said Hennelly. He switched up and had fifth year setter Mike Hawkins (Lethbridge, AB), Kryzsztof Orman( 3rd year, Czestochowa, Poland) and Nic Balazs (1st year, middle, Prince George, BC) playing the entire match. “Aleks Saddlemeyr (5th year, outside hitter, Sidney, BC) played well in the first two sets,” Hennelly added “Then we switched to Chris Osborne (2nd year, Phoenix, AZ) and both guys played solid minutes.” Hennelly tried something unusual in the fourth set by having both Hawkins and fellow setter Colin Carson (3rd year, Prince George, BC) in the line up playing a 6-2 formation. “Cason got the crowd buzzing with a big kill in the fourth set,” Hennelly added. “Matt Krueger (2nd year, Abbotsford, BC) played his best match of the season at libero and made two very important digs in the fifth set.” Casey Knight (2nd year, outside hitter, Gulf Islands, BC) came off the bench in the fifth set to record a big stuff block and seal the win. Orman had 12 kills and five digs for TRU. “The fourth and fifth set were the most intense and spirited of the pre season,” Hennelly added. “It is nice to see with the home opener approaching in two weeks.” The WolfPack have one final exhibition match at home. It is next Friday (Oct 21) at the Tournament Capital Center against UBCO. Game time is 7:30 pm. Cross Country By Duaine Seibel Thompson Rivers University Wolf Pack Battles UBC Okanagan Heat for Spots on the Provincial Team in Cross-Country Thompson Rivers University will be hosting the Canadian Collegiate Athletics Association Cross-Country Championship November 12 on MacArthur Island. Runners will decend on Kamloops from colleges and universities from the Atlantic Provinces, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and BC. In preparation for the event, a BC Team is being selected from athletes from TRU and UBCO who competed for these spots at the Larry Nicholas Memorial Cross Country Race in Kelowna October 16. Women competed in a 4K race and the men in the 9K event. Both teams performed well and will equally populate the BC teams. For the Women, UBCO’s Ashely Yip and Michelle Doogan-Smith took the top two spots with times of 14:53 and 15:45 respectively. Rolena Debruyn came in third with a time of 15:52, 4th to Britney Hearn (UBCO 16:01), 5th Kait Pengelly (TRU: 16:04, 6th Faryn Brown (TRU: 16:10), & 7th Jessie Paustian (TRU: 16:20). These woman will make up the Provincial Womena’s Team. TRU’s other women runners placed 8th Monica Hehli, 9th Sfeffi Herrwigg, 10th Alannah Stewart, 11th Chantelle Forseille, and 12th Kay Googel. For the Men, 1st Chris Curl of TRU finished the 9K in a time of 33:53 followed by teammate Timothy Routtu in 35:22. 2nd place Alex Hansen (UBCO 35:11), 4th David Harbocian (UBCO: 35:51), 5th Obed Masege (TRU:36:45), 6th Garrett Anstett (UBCO: 37:09), 7th Matt Redekop (UBCO: 37:17). These men will compose the BC Men’s Team. Josh Oostenbrink of TRU came in 8th and may take a team spot of one of the UBCO runners unlikely to participate in Nationals. The remaining University runners completed as follows 9th Cameron Kroeker (UBCO: 38:26), 10th Adrian Ballam (TRU: 38:45), 11th Eric Goldie (TRU: 38:48), 12th Bronson Tazelaar (TRU 40:52), 13th Kiefer Stout (TRU: 14th Maik Kliemann (TRU: 43:27), 15th Sarbjit Gill (TRU: 43:28), 16th Malcolm Todd (TRU: 44:34) & 17th Robert Atwood (TRU: 45:22). Both Teams will compete again at the Kal Park Cross Country Run in Vernon October 30th in preparation for Nationals. Both of the teams will use this final event to select runners who will compete for their universities at the National Event. Men’s Basketball It wasn’t pretty but a win is a win. The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s basketball team pulled out an 87-76 victory over the visiting University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves at the Tournament Capital Center on Friday night (Oct 14). The WolfPack struggled off the start and held only a two point lead after the opening quarter (22-20) and were up 47-36 at the half. “It was good for the guys to know that they are progressing,” said WolfPack head coach Scott Clark. “ This was early season basketball. We did some squirrely things at times. It’s a process. We need to settle down and be a little bit better here and there.” The Timberwolves came back and won the third quarter (23-15). But the WolfPack scored 25 points in the final stanza in order to come away with the victory. ”We scrimmaged these guys a couple of weeks ago and I thought Scott’s guys came out and played us much tougher, “said UNBC coach Todd Jordan. “ Justin King was a handful. He gave us fits in the first half especially. By the time we got him contained in the second half, we were playing a little better but didn’t get the rebounds we needed down the stretch.” King (3rd year, forward, Las Vegas, NV) led the way for TRU. He was named the TRU Bookstore/McDonalds “Leader of the Pack” player of the game by scoring 33 points and adding 12 rebounds: 11 on defence. “He scored alright,” Clark said about King. “ He had 11 defensive rebounds. He needed to be a little tougher on the glass. Offensively he has some skill. We need to get him to understand what we want him to do as well as do a bit better defensively.’ Chas Kok (5th year, forward, Lynden, WA) had 22 points and 12 rebounds. The Timberwolves came back and won the third quarter (23-15). But the WolfPack scored 25 points in the final stanza in order to come away with the victory. “They are a good basketball club,”Clark stated about UNBC. “They are likely more veteran than us. We are incredibly young so we will make mistakes. We have eliminated some of the gross errors but there are still errors to correct and we area work in progress.” UNBC, who were playing their second game in as many nights—after taking on UBCO in Kelowna on Thursday (Oct 13) had four players in double digits. Jose Araujo (4th year, guard, Toronto, ON) and Sam Rapheal (4thyear, guard, Prince George, BC) each had 17 points. Francis Rowe (4th year, guard, Victoria, BC) had 16 points while Kevan Madsen (2nd year, post, Prince George, BC) chipped in with 12 points. Dennis Stark (5th year, forward, Prince George, BC) contributed 10 rebounds. The WolfPack head to UBC next weekend to play exhibition games against: Concordia, Memorial and Laurier Universities. UNBC heads to Abbotsford for a game tomorrow (Sat Oct 15) against the University of Fraser Valley. “Any time we come in and play CIS competition, with us going there next year is always good,” Jordan explained. “ Its a tough little roadswing for us but it will make us tougher over the course of the year.” Home opener for the WolfPack is November 4 th when they entertain UFV at the Tournament Capital Center. Tip off is 8 pm. TIP OFFS: Jordan liked the play of Araujo and Marsden: “He is a proven scorer and he came through tonight making some great shots. Kevin did a good job in the second half. He wasn’t effective in the first half but when he decides to post big and be strong down there he is tough to stop.” Hockey: By Chris Hans The TRU WolfPack Men's Hockey team took both ends of a weekend series against the Trinity Western University Spartans with an impressive 5-1 win on the road in Langley on Saturday. The 'Pack had a 1-0 1st period lead on a Power Play goal from Jassi Sangha (assists Andrew Fiser and David Gore). The WolfPack pulled ahead with second period goals from Sangha (PP) (assists Gore, Fisher), Joshua MacDonald (PP)with his first BCIHL goal (assists Mick Ludvig, Cody Lockwood) and Curtis Tonello PP Goal (assists Travis Herlein, MacDonald). The Spartans (Brendan Long) and the 'Pack (Gore from Sangha) exchanged 3rd period goals. Shane Mainprize earned his first BCIHL regular reason win by turning away 24 of 25 Trinity Western shots including a huge Penalty Shot save in the 2nd Period. TWU goaltender JP Chapman stopped 37 of TRU's 42 shots on goal. WolfPack Head Coach Don Schulz said "I thought our guys were consistent throughout the game and got stronger as the game went on. I thought we were disciplined and I am happier with our Power Play." WolfPack Notes: The 'Pack travel to Burnaby next Saturday to take on arch rival SFU 7:00 pm at Bill Copeland Arena. Women’s Volleyball: The 2011 Best in the West women’s volleyball tournament ended the way it began for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack. The Pack began the event with a victory over UBC on Friday (Oct 14). On Sunday morning (Oct 16), Keith Lundgren’s crew won again. This time, in straight sets over the Trinity Western Spartans. The scores were 25-22,25-22,25-23. “Our goal was to win one match going into this,” said Lundgren. “Winning two just sets the stage for a great start to the Canada West season in two weeks.” The WolfPack were led by middle Katarina Osadchuk (2nd year, Brisbane, Australia). She had 13 kills. Kelly Asleson (5th year, middle, Richmond, BC) had nine kills. “She played very emotionally this morning which was great,” Lundgren added who pointed to the play of Sara Pettersson (Angelholm, Sweden) as another brightlight. The WolfPack went 2 and 2 in the tournament: losing to UBCO and Alberta on Saturday (Oct 15). The WolfPack open their 2011-12 CIS season on Friday October 28, 2011 at the Tournament Capital Center. Their opposition is the University of Calgary Dinos. Game time is 6 pm.