WSOC: UBC/Victoria at Timberwolves Preview

Women's Soccer
September 26, 2018

Canada West Women’s Soccer Preview
UBC @ UNBC
September 28th, 2018
6 PM PT

UNBC Timberwolves (1-3-2)
7th in Pacific Division Standings
12 Goals For
14 Goals Against
Goals Leader: Paige Payne: 4 Goals
Assists Leader: Madison Emmond: 3 Assists
Points Leader: Paige Payne: 6 Points
Saves Leader: Madi Doyle: 14 Saves

Player to Watch:
Julia Babicz, D
A fourth-year Timberwolf with speed to burn, Babicz has the ability to impact a play at any point. While not the biggest player on pitch, the five-foot-three College Heights product is knocking on the door of the TWolves’ top ten all-time in games started at the Canada West level.

UBC Thunderbirds (5-2-0)
2nd in Pacific Division Standings
15 Goals For
6 Goals Against
Goals Leader: Danielle Steer: 6 Goals
Assists Leader: Danielle Steer: 5 Assists
Points Leader: Danielle Steer: 11 Points
Saves Leader: Emily Moore: 14 Saves

Player to Watch:
Danielle Steer, F
In her second year of Canada West soccer, Steer has put the conference on notice with her offensive outbursts. Currently leading all players in goals, assists, and points, the sophomore out of Surrey will be a focus for Mara McCleary and all the UNBC defenders.

Canada West Women’s Soccer Preview
Victoria @ UNBC
September 30th, 2018
12 PM PT

UNBC Timberwolves (1-3-2)
7th in Pacific Division Standings
12 Goals For
14 Goals Against
Goals Leader: Paige Payne: 4 Goals
Assists Leader: Madison Emmond: 3 Assists
Points Leader: Paige Payne: 6 Points
Saves Leader: Madi Doyle: 14 Saves

Player to Watch:
Kiana Swift, M
Strong and determined, Kiana Swift has not looked at all out of place in her first campaign of Canada West competition. A freshman from Sooke, B.C., Swift has started every game for the Timberwolves, and her tenacity through the midfield will be important against a dangerous Vikes side.

Victoria Vikes (4-3-0)
4th in Pacific Division Standings
16 Goals For
6 Goals Against
Goals Leader: Shinomura, Baird, Bignold: 3 Goals
Assists Leader: Kilbey, Martin: 2 Assists
Points Leader: Kilbey, Shinomura: 4 Points
Saves Leader: Puck Louwes: 31 Saves

Player to Watch:
Puck Louwes, GK
Louwes, in her fourth season, has proven to be the top keeper in the conference. Last year, the native of The Netherlands was named a Canada West and U SPORTS first-team all-star for her work in the Vikes net. The Timberwolves will need to use their speed and creativity to beat Louwes.


Quotes:
UNBC’s Mara McCleary

On the TWolves’ offensive success…
“We’ve really been sticking to a process, for three years now.  Things are starting to really come together for us this year, so that is producing lots of goals. Plus, we are getting a lot of success in other parts of the field.”


On the matchup with the Thunderbirds…
“UBC is a great all-around team, and they really, really challenge us when we go to play them. I think we will be looking to set a competitive standard from the get-go. Last year’s draw against them was a positive outcome. We had struggled against them in the past, so to get a tie was big for our program.”

On the matchup with the Vikes…
“Playing UVic, there are a lot of people I have grown up playing with. Playing them on turf instead of their home grass, will be different for them and hopefully an advantage for us. They have a lot of pace, they know how to play the ball around well, and I think it will be a challenge for our defense for sure.”