Game Information

Date: Saturday, Sept. 18 & Sunday, Sept. 19
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Kelowna, B.C. 
Watch Live: Canadawest.tv

KAMLOOPS – After a season-opening weekend with two positive results, the Thompson Rivers University men's soccer team is set to continue their 2021 Canada West slate when they head to Kelowna to take on the UBC Okanagan Heat.
 
The Interior rivalry weekend will be the first of many between the two schools, as the annual Presidents' Cup competition kicks off once again. Contested every year since 2014, the Presidents' Cup is awarded to the school that takes the most points in the head-to-head games across all sports between TRU and UBCO throughout the year.

A pair of 1-1 ties with the UBC Thunderbirds has the WolfPack off to a strong start to the season. A stout defensive effort combined with two goals from set-pieces allowed the host WolfPack to pick up two points against the team currently ranked sixth in the nation.
 
The Heat will also feel positive coming out of their first weekend of conference action since 2019. Heading out on the road, they travelled to Langley and picked up ties of 1-1 and 0-0 against the Trinity Western Spartans.

These squads played twice last season. A 0-0 tie in Kelowna was followed up by a 2-1 TRU victory inside Hillside Stadium.

3 Things
 
1: This weekend will serve as the first Presidents' Cup competitions of the season, with the schools also scheduled to meet in basketball (Oct. 30, Feb. 18-19) and volleyball (Nov. 12-13, Jan. 28-29)

2: After starting the season at home, this clash will begin a mini road trip for the 'Pack, with the team scheduled to head to Victoria to take on the Vikes on Sept. 24-25.

3: TRU just edged out UBCO for a playoff spot in 2019. The WolfPack finished the season in fourth place in the Pacific division with a record of 6-5-5, while the Heat were just one point back with a mark of 6-6-4.

By the Numbers
 
12 – Since 2014 when the Presidents' Cup competition was re-introduced, TRU has claimed 12 of a possible 14 trophies (7 men's, 5 women's) and currently have held both trophies since 2018.
 
17– Players saw action for the WolfPack in their opening weekend, as head coach John Antulov utilized the team's strength in depth to start the season.
 
5-2-5 – The WolfPack hold a record of 5-2-5 vs. the Heat in Canada West play and are yet to lose to their rivals in Kelowna.
 
Scouting the Heat
 
Goalkeeper Nicholas Reitsma was the story of this past weekend for the Heat. The fourth-year Kelowna local made eight saves, including stopping a penalty kick, to help UBCO pick up two ties on the weekend.