KAMLOOPS – 693 days, that's how long it will have been between official Canada West games for the Thompson Rivers University women's soccer team when they take to the field Friday, September 10 for their 2021 season opener.
*PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO REGIONAL HEALTH RESTRICTIONS, SPECTATORS ARE NOT PERMITTED INSIDE HILLSIDE STADIUM*
It won't be an easy welcome back to conference play for a WolfPack squad that features 15 new faces from their 2019 roster, as they are set to face the reigning national champion UBC Thunderbirds inside Hillside Stadium.
Games are slated for 5:00 p.m. Friday and 7:00 p.m. Saturday and can be watched live on
canadawest.tv.
TRAINING CAMP RECAP
With first smoke and then regional health restrictions making things difficult for the WolfPack throughout training camp, the team spent a majority of their season preparation on the road.
A week's worth of training in Richmond was followed up by a trip to Vancouver Island where the 'Pack got good games in against both the UVic Vikes and VIU Mariners. Falling in a tight 2-1 contest to UVic, TRU then responded by picking up wins of 2-0 and 2-1 over VIU. Goals were provided by
Makaela Gelowitz,
Hawan Abdissa,
Emily Clark and
Chantal Gammie in the victories over the Mariners
The WolfPack wrapped up their camp with more training in Kamloops and some scrimmages against top youth teams.
SEASON PREVIEW
Picked to finish 11th in the
Canada West Coaches Poll, a young WolfPack squad will have their sights set on battling for just the second Canada West playoff berth in program history this year.
Playing games against B.C. division foes only in a
new conference-play format, the WolfPack head out on the road after hosting the Thunderbirds where they will play the UBC Okanagan Heat (Sep. 18-19) and the UVic Vikes (Sep. 24-25). Returning to Hillside Stadium in October, the WolfPack host the Trinity Western Spartans (Oct. 1-2) and Fraser Valley Cascades (Oct. 8-9) before wrapping up their season in Price George against the UNBC Timberwolves (Oct. 22-23)
2019 CW regular season leaders (returning):
Goals: 3 –
Camryn Curts, Midfield
Assists: 2 –
Camryn Curts, Midfield
Points: 5 –
Camryn Curts, Midfield
Wins: 1 –
Danielle Robertson Goalkeeper
Shutouts: 2 –
Danielle Robertson, Goalkeeper
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Caylah Lemon / Defender / 1st-year / Surrey, BC / Coastal FC
Hollis Roeske / Midfield / 4th-year / Vancouver, BC / SFU
Raiya Rumo / Defender / 1st-year / Courtice, Ont. / Oshawa Kicks
Allie Shiyuk / Defender / 1st-year / Surrey, BC / Coastal FC
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Marisa Mendonca / Midfield / Penticton, BC / 5
Cassie Morris / Defender / Kamloops, BC / 4
Robin Price / Midfield / Smithers, BC / 4
Natalie Verdiel / Defender / Powell River, BC / 5
Key performer:
Camryn Curts
Midfielder
4th-Year
Courtenay, B.C.
2019 Stats: (3 Goals / 2 Assists / 5 Pts)
A force in the middle of the pitch,
Camryn Curts has been a leader for the WolfPack since joining the team in 2017, with the product of Courtenay starting 41 of a possible 42 matches throughout her WolfPack career.
Possessing an ability to drive forward and create offence from a midfield position, Curts has totalled six goals, seven assists and 13 points during her time with the 'Pack. A leader both on and off the pitch for a young WolfPack squad, Curts has led the team in assists in all three of her seasons at the U SPORTS level.
WEEKEND PREVIEW
While this weekend's match ups with the Thunderbirds won't be easy, this WolfPack squad has proven they can play with anybody in the nation. In 2019 the WolfPack tied twice with the eventual national runners'-up, the Calgary Dinos.
COACH'S TAKE
Mark Pennington, Head Coach
On a tumultuous training camp:
"It's definitely been a challenge but I think being a soccer player at this level is about being challenged all the time. I do think the best players are the ones that can adapt and pivot when they need to and find different solutions. It will make us more flexible in terms of our preparation, but it's been a challenge for sure."
On a roster filled with new faces:
"Some teams have more of an established base and we are in a slightly different position. It's going to be really interesting from our perspective but every team has quite a big contingent of first and second years, so there is an element of the unknown but that makes things exciting."
On the challenge of the weekend:
"Opening against the defending national champions is tough. We had a meeting last night to put things into perspective. This program has never taken a point off UBC, up until the 2019 season this program had never scored against UBC so it's always going to be a David and Goliath situation. If we are to be successful of course there is a tactical plan, but it really just has to be about the mentality. Managing the environment and occasion will be key with our young players but it's also about showing heart and fight, being committed to the WolfPack mindset.
