WSOC: Timberwolves vs Manitoba Playoff Preview

Women's Soccer
October 23, 2019

Canada West Women’s Soccer Playoff Preview
UNBC vs Manitoba
October 25th, 2019 @ 11 AM PT

UNBC Timberwolves (3-7-4)
6th in Pacific Division Standings
12 Goals For
19 Goals Against
Goals Leader: Sofia Jones: 6 Goals
Assists Leader: Julia Babicz, Sofia Jones, Paige Payne: 2 Assists
Points Leader: Sofia Jones: 8 Points
Saves Leader: Madi Doyle: 36 Saves


Player to watch: Mara McCleary, D
An center back, McCleary is the anchor of a Timberwolves backline that surrendered just 19 goals this season; the least goals against in program history. An excellent athlete with a high soccer IQ, the fourth-year Victoria product will need to be effective against a dynamic Bisons attack.

Manitoba Bisons (8-5-1)
3rd in Prairie Division Standings
28 Goals For
22 Goals Against
Goals Leader: Nicole Davis: 7 Goals
Assists Leader: Jessica Tsai: 8 Assists
Points Leader: Jessica Tsai: 14 Points
Saves Leader: Karina Bagi: 35 Saves


Player to watch: Nicole Davis, F
A member of Manitoba Women’s Soccer, as well as the Bisons Track & Field team, the speedster is unmatched when it comes to quickness. In her second year with the program, Davis has paced the Bisons offensively, scoring seven goals. The Timberwolves will need to pay special attention to the Winnipeg product, if they want to contain an offensive attack that scored 28 goals this season.

Canada West Women’s Soccer Playoff Preview
UNBC vs Calgary (If UNBC is victorious vs Manitoba)
October 27th, 2019 @ 11 AM PT

Calgary Dinos (8-5-1)
2nd in Pacific Division Standings
31 Goals For
7 Goals Against
Goals Leader: Montana Leonard: 9 Goals
Assists Leader: Amy Mikuska: 6 Assists
Points Leader: Montana Leonard: 11 Points
Saves Leader: Lauren Houghton: 29 Saves

Player to watch: Kelsie MacDonald, F
A fourth-year forward, MacDonald is a catalyst for the Dinos’ offensive approach. With six goals and four assists on the season, the Canada West 2nd Team All-Star had a goal and an assist when the TWolves and Dinos clashed on October 13th.


Quotes:
UNBC’s Kiana Swift

On being back in the playoffs…
“We are beyond excited to be back in playoffs for the third consecutive year. The post season is my favourite time of the year, and the fact that we get to play another week is amazing. We will be ready to go.”


On the matchup with the Bisons…
“We had a really great battle with them last year. The game was 120 minutes, plus penalty kicks. Judging off last year’s game, they’re going to be very competitive. Since it’s playoffs, we can expect them to want a win as much as us.”

On mindset going into playoff rematch with Manitoba…
“We got the result we wanted last year, but it is a different year with different teams. All we can do is play our brand of soccer because that’s when we have the most success.”


On major influences on the season…
“There are multiple individuals who have supported us in getting where we are today. Everyone from the amazing UNBC athletic staff, our coaches, the Prince George community, and our families back home. But it all comes back to my teammates. The amount of time and training we commit to soccer and to each other has allowed us to continue to develop. We believe in doing everything together. This weekend we’ll be playing for one another.”