MSOC: Mount Royal/Alberta at Timberwolves Preview

Men's Soccer
September 13, 2017

September 15th, 2017
Canada West Men’s Soccer Preview
Mount Royal @ UNBC
8 PM @ NCSSL Fields


UNBC Timberwolves (2-1-3)
3rd in Pacific Division Standings
8 Goals For
6 Goals Against
Goals Leader : Stu Rowlands, Brett Bobier: 2 Goals
Assists Leader: Tofa Fakunle: 3 Assists
Points Leader : Tofa Fakunle : 4 Points
Saves Leader : Ty Venhola : 25 Saves

Player to Watch:
Tofa Fakunle, M
In his fifth and final season with the Timberwolves, Fakunle and his teammates are enjoying their best start to a campaign in program history. The native of Calgary sits on the brink of breaking the team’s all-time goals record, but the fiery leader will be looking for a victory above all else with the Cougars in town.

Mount Royal Cougars (1-2-1)
4th in Prairie Division Standings
4 Goals For
5 Goals Against
Goals Leader : Anderson-Louch, Munoz, Nyavor, Vickers : 1 Goal
Assists Leader : Anderson-Louch, Kalenga : 1 Assist
Points Leader : Justin Anderson-Louch : 2 Points
Saves Leader : Kyran Valley : 15 Saves

Player to Watch:
Jake Vickers, D
Friday’s matchup with the Timberwolves should be interesting for Vickers, who spent his first Canada West season with UNBC in 2013-2014. The Calgary product has one goal on the season – a game-winner against the Saskatchewan Huskies.


September 17th, 2017
Canada West Men’s Soccer Preview
Alberta @ UNBC
11 AM @ NCSSL Fields


UNBC Timberwolves (2-1-3)
3rd in Pacific Division Standings
8 Goals For
6 Goals Against
Goals Leader : Stu Rowlands, Brett Bobier: 2 Goals
Assists Leader : Tofa Fakunle: 3 Assists
Points Leader : Tofa Fakunle : 4 Points
Saves Leader : Ty Venhola : 25 Saves

Player to Watch:
Ty Venhola, GK
Fifth-year keeper Ty Venhola will be leaned on in this matchup, facing a dynamic Golden Bears lineup. Sitting second in the conference in saves with 25, the Abbotsford native is quick to rise to a challenge, and has surely had this matchup circled on his calendar since the release of the Canada West schedule.

Alberta Golden Bears (3-0-1)
1st in Prairie Division Standings
11 Goals For
2 Goals Against
Goals Leader : Ajeej Sarkaria : 4 Goals
Assists Leader : Tolu Esan : 3 Assists
Points Leader : Ajeej Sarkaria : 6 Points
Saves Leader: Connor James : 12 Saves

Player to Watch:
Ajeej Sarkaria, F
The reigning Canada West Player of the Year, Sarkaria is off to a hot start again this year with four goals in four games. Last season, he tallied a conference-record 19 goals, and led all players with 25 points.

Quotes:
UNBC’s Brett Bobier
On the Timberwolves maintaining their focus after a strong start…
“We have started off well, with the best start to a season in the history of our program. But in the standings right now, we are sitting in a three-way tie for second, so we’re just holding on to a playoff spot. We have to keep moving forward and keep looking at each week like it’s our only week.”
On playing at home this weekend…
“You don’t have to travel, you get an extra day to prepare with your team, and it is nice having the home crowd to your advantage. Hopefully we can get a whole bunch of people out, because it gives you that extra energy boost.”
On Friday’s matchup with Mount Royal…
“We have always been competitive with each other. We beat them in preseason, so we know we can beat them and do some damage against them.  But, again, we have to keep our focus, put in the work, and make sure we come out strong.”
On Sunday’s matchup with Alberta…
“We want to be strong defensively and not give them anything. If we come out with a result against them, we are doing alright. So, lock down on defense, keep possessing through the attacking third, and see what we can do against them.”