The newest chapter of the women's soccer program at Thompson Rivers University begins this week.
The WolfPack, under the direction of
Mark Pennington begin their 2019-20 Canada West regular season with a pair of matches on the road.
The WolfPack will visit the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves on Thursday afternoon at Masich Place (Sept 5) before heading to Calgary for a Saturday afternoon (Sept 7) matchup with the Dinos at Dinos Park.
The WolfPack are coming off a preseason where they went 3-2.
DETAILS:
Pennington is the new head coach of the WolfPack, taking over the program early in the new year. He has retained most of the veterans from a young squad that finished up the Canada West regular season just missing the playoffs in 2018.
The Timberwolves and the Dinos both made the post season last year. Calgary made it to the league final after taking the Prairie Division regular season title. They fell to eventual league champion Trinity Western 1-0. UNBC won their first post season match 2-1 over Manitoba, advanced to the league quarterfinal and were on the short end of a 3-1 count to UBC, which had now TRU boss Pennington on board as an assistant.
RECORDS OF NOTE:
UNBC : had a record of 3-8-3 last year and finished sixth in the Pacific Division. The Timberwolves are 11
th in the Canada West women's soccer coaches preseason poll.
CALGARY: won the Prairie division with a 13-1 record last year. They are ranked third in the Canada West women's soccer coaches preseason poll. The Dinos are also seventh in the first USPORTS top ten rankings
TRU: just missed the post season after winding up with a record of 3-9-2. The Pack are rated 14
th in the Canada West Women's Soccer coaches preseason poll.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES:
Vs UNBC: The Timberwolves and the WolfPack played twice in 2018-19. The WolfPack won at Hillside Stadium 3-1 on September 9
th in the opening week of the season. Then in the last weekend of the campaign, UNBC won a 2-0 decision on October 19
th which secured a playoff spot for the Timberwolves.
Vs Calgary: The last time they battled was October 15, 2017. It was a 4-0 Dino victory at Hillside Stadium. The last match in Calgary was September 10, 2016, where the the Dinos shutout TRU 10-0.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
TRU:
Chantal Gammie (2
nd year, forward, Smithers, BC: Gammie was a Canada West rookie all-star last season (the first in team history). She led the squad with seven goals.
Danielle Robertson (3
rd year, keeper, Courtenay, BC): had 81 saves last season, second most in the Canada West.
UNBC: Paige Payne (4
th year, midfield, Kitimat, BC): led the Timberwolves in scoring with 8 goals and 12 points last season.
Brooke Molby (3
rd year, keeper, Sqwuamish BC) was second in Canada West in saves per cent (.836) and third in goals against (9)
Calgary:
Sienna Prince-McPherson (4
th year, forward, Calgary,AB): the transfer from the University of Montana led the Dinos in scoring with four goals and three assists last season.
Lauren Houghton (3
rd year, keeper, Calgary, AB): led the Canada West in goals against with five and goals against average (.036).
COMMENTS OF WOLFPACK COACH MARK PENNINGTON:
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1169306304541675521
COMMENTS OF WOLFPACK DEFENDER NATALIE VERDIEL (5TH YEAR, POWELL RIVER BC):
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1169307051169742848
Both matches can be seen on a pay-per-view basis on Canada West TV. Both matches start at noon.
The WolfPack will return after the weekend for their home opener on the Warner Rentals field at Hillside Stadium. On Friday, September 13
th, the Pack will entertain the McEwan University Griffins with the University of Alberta Pandas paying a visit on Saturday, September 14
th. 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.
