WSOC: TWU / UFV at Timberwolves Preview

Women's Soccer
October 3, 2019

Canada West Women’s Soccer Preview
TWU @ UNBC
October 4th, 2019 @ 6:00 PM

UNBC Timberwolves (3-2-3)
4th in Pacific Division Standings
7 Goals For
5 Goals Against
Goals Leader: Sofia Jones, Paige Payne, Hannah Emmond: 2 Goals
Assists Leader: Julia Babicz, Sofia Jones: 2 Assists
Points Leader: Sofia Jones: 4 Points
Saves Leader: Madi Doyle, Brooke Molby: 18 Saves

Player to watch: Paige Payne, F
A 2018 Canada West 2nd Team All-Star, Payne is a crucial figure in the Timberwolves offensive approach. The pride of Kitimat has had no shortage of opportunities this season, and she will be looking to convert in a game where capitalizing will be important against a top-ranked Trinity side.


TWU Spartans (7-0-1)
1st in Pacific Division Standings
22 Goals For
5 Goals Against
Goals Leader: Jenaya Robertson: 5 Goals
Assists Leader: Danielle Thune: 4 Assists
Points Leader: Jenaya Robertson: 7 Points
Saves Leader: Hannah Miller: 31 Saves

Player to watch: Rachel Hutchinson, M/F
One of the more prolific scorers in recent Canada West history, Hutchinson sits top 15 in career points and top 10 in career assists in the conference. The fifth-year product of Cloverdale is a catalyst for the Spartans attack, and the Timberwolves will need to limit her time with the ball, if they plan to slow TWU.

UFV @ UNBC (Seniors Day)
October 6th, 2019 @ 12:00 PM

UNBC Timberwolves (3-2-3)
4th in Pacific Division Standings
7 Goals For
5 Goals Against
Goals Leader: Sofia Jones, Paige Payne, Hannah Emmond: 2 Goals
Assists Leader: Julia Babicz, Sofia Jones: 2 Assists
Points Leader: Sofia Jones: 4 Points
Saves Leader: Madi Doyle, Brooke Molby: 18 Saves

Player to watch: Brooke Molby, G
5-1-2 over her last eight starts, Molby has taken another step forward in her third year with the Timberwolves. Currently leading the conference in goals against average and save percentage, the Squamish native is a smooth and steady athlete who will need to be good in her distribution against an athletic Cascades roster.

UFV Cascades (2-2-4)
6th in Pacific Division Standings
12 Goals For
10 Goals Against
Goals Leader: Katie Lampen: 4 Goals
Assists Leader: Brittney Zacharuk: 3 Assists
Points Leader: Brittney Zacharuk, Katie Lampen, Bryana Buttar: 5 Points
Saves Leader: Joven Sandhu: 36 Saves

Player to watch: Katie Lampen, F
The reigning Canada West 3rd Star of the Week, Langen has made a major impact in her first year with the Cascades. The Chilliwack product has scored in three consecutive games, utilizing her high-end speed to give defenders trouble around the conference. The favourite for CW Rookie of the Year will command attention from Mara McCleary and the UNBC backline.


Milestones:
Mikaela Cadorette played in her 20th career UNBC game last week vs TRU
Jenna Wild played in her 20th career UNBC game last week vs UBCO
Mara McCleary needs one game to reach 50 for her UNBC career
Paige Payne needs one game to reach 50 for her UNBC career
Julia Babicz needs one game to pass Fiona Raymond, Sydney Hall, and Tanya Grob for third on the UNBC Women’s Soccer all-time list (63 games)

Quotes: UNBC’s Mara McCleary


On the matchup with the Spartans…
“We will play our game, our way, like always. We have the factors of a home field and a seniors weekend working for us so we will be using those to the best of our ability. It’s important we don't lose ourselves in all the stats and extraneous information leading up to a game. Instead, we will be focusing on our team, our strategy and our potential growth for this game. We know what we are up against and so do they.”

On the matchup with the Cascades…
“Every university in Canada West has a formidable team. There are no easy games or easy weekends so we'll be expecting a battle as always. Just like any other varsity soccer team, UFV is physically, technically, and tactically proficient. They will be a challenge to rise to just like any other team.”


On where the team sits, after eight games…
“I think this is the best start to any season we've had before, which certainly makes us proud. That being said, there have also been some results that have left us disappointed with ourselves so we're definitely gunning to get more points before season ends. We view every weekend, every game, every minute on the field as an opportunity to grow and improve, and that's exactly what we've been doing, year in and year out.”

On Seniors Weekend…
“Seeing our seniors play their very last home game always makes for an emotion-filled weekend. Saying goodbye has only gotten harder as each year has gone by, because you know each player better than you did the year before. After being a part of senior weekend for 3 years I think it is safe to say this will be a weekend where we play our hearts out and leave everything on the field, not just for those on the team or for those graduating this year, but also for the Timberwolves before us on whose shoulders we stand.”