After garnering only one of a possible six points on the road last weekend,the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men's soccer team is hoping for a better fate as they return home to take on a pair of Prairie Division opponents in Canada West play.
The WolfPack will entertain the Saskatchewan Huskies on Friday night (Sept 13) and the MacEwan Griffins on Saturday (Sept 14).
Both matches are on the Warner Rentals field at Hillside Stadium and both have 7:30 pm PDT start times. These teams didn't meet each other during the regular season in 2018-19. In fact, this is the Grififins first ever regular season match in Kamloops.
DETAILS:
This is 'Alumni Weekend". On the Friday, it also "Puppies and Pints" where dog lovers can bring their pets to Hillside and sit in a special section. Fans over the age of 19 can also partake in beer provided by Iron Road Brewing. The first 300 TRU students will get a free t-shirt courtesy of Mr. Mikes Steakhouse Casual.
On Saturday, its "Family night" with a bouncy castle and other activities going on. The WolfPack is also inviting students, staff and parents from Parkcrest Elementary to attend the match for free. The school community is reeling after it burned down last week. The WolfPack have a connection with Parkcrest as TRU student/athletes have helped with their Terry Fox runs and other activities over the years
RECORDS OF NOTE:
SASKATCHEWAN : Sit in third place in the Prairie division with a 1-2-2 record. The Huskies were rated fifth in the Canada West men's soccer coaches pre season poll. Coach Bryce Chapman is into his 16 th year at the helm.
MACEWAN: are in a two way tie for fourth place in the Prairie division with 1-2-1. The Griffins were ranked 12
th out of 13 teams in the Canada West pre-season coaches poll
TRU: were ranked fourth in the Canada West Men's Soccer preseason coaches poll. They sit in fourth in the Pacific Division at 1-1-2. Were fourth in the Pacific Division last year at 6-6-3.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES:
Vs Saskatchewan: The Huskies and WolfPack last met in league play on September 24, 2019. TRU Won 2-1.
Justin Donaldson and
Jason Staiger had the goals for TRU. They then met in the post season (Oct 27,2017). The Pack won 5-1.
James Fraser scored twice with singles from Mitch Popadynetz,
Thomas Lantmeeters and Ryan Glanville.
Vs MacEwan: The last time these two teams met in regular season play was September 24, 2016. The match was in Edmonton and they tied 1-1 that was their only other ever regular season meeting
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
TRU: James Fraser (4
th year, forward, Penticton, BC): was tied for fourth in assists In Canada West with five. He was the Canada West first star of the week and U SPORTS male athlete of the week earlier this season. He is in a three way tie for first place in Canada West goals with four.
Jackson Gardner (2
nd year, keeper, Chilliwack, BC): is second in Canada West in saves percentage (.883), goals against (3) and goals against average (0.75).
SASKATCHEWAN: Nikolas Baikas (2nd year, forward, Saskatoon, SK): is second in Canada West in shots with 24 and has a team leading 11 shots on goal.
MACEWAN:Everett Orgnero (2nd year, forward, Calgary, AB): was one of the most dynamic rookies in the Canada West last season with eight goals and 31 shots on goal. In a four match stretch last September, he scored five times including two goals against UBCO and was a Canada West all-star.
COMMENTS OF WOLFPACK coach John Antulov:
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1171927121230303232
COMMENTS OF WolfPack defender Harry Coles (3rd year, Shrewsbury, England):
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1171926993371140096
COMMENTS OF WolfPack midfielder Adam Swanson (4th year, North Vancouver, BC):
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1171926922781020160
Both matches can be seen on a pay-per-view basis on Canada West TV presented by Co-OP with James Matthews,
Larry Read and Dylana Milobar. Highlights and post game interviews can be seen on the WolfPack website (www.gowolfpack.ca) , their Facebook and twitter accounts.
