The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women's soccer team make their home debut this weekend.
The WolfPack will play host to the MacEwan University Griffins on Friday night (Sept 13) and entertain the University of Alberta Pandas on Saturday night (Sept 14) on the Warner Rentals field at Hillside Stadium.
Not only is it the home opener for the 0-1-1 WolfPack but there are also a number of other activities going on. It 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
DETAILS
:
The WolfPack are coming off a loss to UNBC (1-0) and a tie with Calgary (1-1)last weekend. The Griffins and Pandas had a win and a tie in the opening weekend. MacEwan blanked Mount Royal 2-0 and tied Lethbridge 0-0. Alberta took Mount Royal 1-0 and tied Lethbridge at 2.
RECORDS OF NOTE:
MACEWAN : was 9-3-2 last season. They were reanked fifth in the Canada West coaches' preseason poll
ALBERTA: was 10-3-3 last season They were ranked fourth in the Canada West coaches' preseason poll
TRU: was 3-9-2 last season and rated 14
th in the Canada West coaches' preseason poll.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES:
Vs MacEwan: The Griffins and WolfPack played twice last season. The teams opened the regular season in Kamloops on Sept 8
th with MacEwan winning 2-1. The WolfPack were outshot 13-4 in the first half. MacEwan had 27 shots on the afternoon. The teams ended the season in Edmonton ON October 21
st. The teams played to a 1-1 tie, which eliminated Thompson Rivers from the playoffs.
Chantal Gammie (2
nd year, forward, Smithers, BC) had the goal for TRU. Maya Morrell (2
nd year, forward, Vancouver, BC) scored for The Griffins. Gammie and Morrell played youth soccer together with Fusion FC.
Vs Alberta: The teams met in Edmonton last year (Sept15). The Pandas dumped the Pack 5-0. Ally Parth (5
th year, midfield, St. Albert, AB) and Nicole Palladino (5
th year, forward, Edmonton, AB) had two of the goals and MacKenna Parks (2
nd year, forward, Edmonton, AB) had two assists.
Danielle Robertson stopped 10 of the 26 total shots Alberta had on the day.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
TRU:
Camryn Curts (3
rd year midfield, Courtenay, BC): scored the only goal TRU has this year. She has three shots and two of them were on goal..
Danielle Robertson (3
rd year, keeper, Courtenay, BC): leads the Canada West in saves with 20. She is fifth in save percentage (.909).
MacEwan:
Emily Burns (5
th year, keeper, Sherwood Park, AB): tied for the league lead in goals against (0) and goals against average (0.00) and saves percent (1.000)
Jamie Erickson (5
th year, defender, Edmonton, AB) is second in Canada West in shots with 10. She was MacEwan's female athlete of the year in 2018-19 and was a Canada West first team all-star.
Sunder West (4
th year, midfielder, Edmonton, AB) is fourth in Canada West in shots with eight.
Alberta:
Georgia Tansley (3
rd year, forward, Calgary, AB) leads the Canada West in shots with 11. She had three goals and five points as a rookie in 2017.
COMMENTS OF WOLFPACK COACH MARK PENNINGTON:
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1171926860306870272
COMMENTS OF WOLFPACK KEEPER DANIELLE ROBERTSON (3RD YEAR, COURTENAY, BC):
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1171926587958124544
COMMENTS OF WOLFPACK MIDFIELDER MARISA MENDOCA (5TH YEAR, PENTICTON, BC):
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1171926440536731649
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. Both matches start at 5:30 pm. The pre game show begins 10 minutes before. Highlights and post match comments will be available on the WolfPack social media platforms and their website
www.goWolfPack.ca.