Canada West Women's Soccer Preview
TWU Spartans @ UNBC Timberwolves
Friday, August 25, 2023 at 530 PM
UNBC Timberwolves 2022 Record (5-6-3)
6th in Pacific Division Standings (10th in CW)
15 Goals For (11th in CW)
23 Goals Against (11th in CW)
Returning Goals Leader: Cline, Elliott, Nystedt, Turner: 1 Goal
Returning Assists Leader: Claire Turner: 2 Assists
Returning Points Leader: Claire Turner: 3 Points
Returning Saves Leader: Brityn Hinsche : 29 Saves
Player to Watch: Avery Nystedt, D
Never one to back down from a challenge, Nystedt is back for her third season starting as a center back for the TWolves. Coming off a tremendous showing for the Victoria Highlanders in League1 BC, Nystedt is a gritty leader for a UNBC program short on experience. The Victoria product will need to keep her side composed against a pacy, dangerous Spartans attack that is perennially among U SPORTS' top-scoring teams.
TWU Spartans 2022 Record (9-2-3)
2nd in Pacific Division Standings (3rd in CW)
32 Goals For (4th in CW)
11 Goals Against (3rd in CW)
Returning Goals Leader: Charis Wardrope: 8 Goals
Returning Assists Leader: Sophie Crowther: 8 Assists
Returning Points Leader: Sophie Crowther: 10 Points
Returning Saves Leader: Hannah Miller: 24 Saves
Player to Watch: Tilly James, D
Two years into her Canada West career and Tilly James's trophy case is already filling up. Canada West All-Rookie, Canada West 2nd Team All-Star, Canada West 1st Team All-Star, Canada West Champion, U SPORTS All-Canadian. The product of Vancouver plays all over the pitch for Graham Roxburgh's program, and will need to be contained by a Timberwolves side looking to slow a dynamic Spartans attack.
UFV Cascades @ UNBC Timberwolves
Sunday, August 27, 2023 at 130 PM
UNBC Timberwolves 2022 Record (5-6-3)
6th in Pacific Division Standings (10th in CW)
15 Goals For (11th in CW)
23 Goals Against (11th in CW)
Returning Goals Leader: Cline, Elliott, Nystedt, Turner: 1 Goal
Returning Assists Leader: Claire Turner: 2 Assists
Returning Points Leader: Claire Turner: 3 Points
Returning Saves Leader: Brityn Hinsche : 29 Saves
Player to Watch: Brityn Hinsche, G
Brityn Hinsche gained plenty of crucial experience in her 2022 freshmanTimberwolves season, starting a number of Canada West games and turning heads with some tremendous saves along the way. With the loss of CW All-Star defenders Mara McCleary and Kiana Swift, the product of Williams Lake should be busy, but Hinsche has shown to be prepared and willing for any challenge. The second-year netminder will need to be poised between the pipes for Neil Sedgwick's program.
UFV Cascades 2022 Record (1-8-5)
8th in Pacific Division Standings (13th in CW)
7 Goals For (16th in CW)
30 Goals Against (13th in CW)
Returning Goals Leader: Halle McCambley: 2 Goals
Returning Assists Leader: Dhaliwal, Kaila, Mele: 1 Assist
Returning Points Leader: Halle McCambley: 2 Points
Returning Saves Leader: Kareena Sahota: 1 Save
Player to Watch: Hannah Gamble, M
The sole fifth-year player on the Cascades roster, Gamble will play a major role for UFV in the middle of the park. The native of Mililani, Hawaii isn't the biggest athlete on the pitch, but plays with the poise needed to lead a young Fraser Valley side. First-year coach Ari Adams will lean on the veteran midfielder to defend at one end and create offensive opportunities at the other.
Quotes
UNBC's Haley Taylor
On the team's readiness to get the season started…
"It's really exciting. I think our team is actually meshing really well. It was really nice to see the first years playing with us and everyone getting to know each other, and that confidence being built."
On the matchup with the Spartans…
"What doesn't Trinity do well? They're a very good team. Very strong passes and they really know how to hold possession. They're very strong on and off the ball. I think it's important for us to stay calm and know our intention as a team. And we need to work hard."
On the matchup with the Cascades…
"UFV is a very strong team as well. They're very fast and play long balls with that fast game. That is something we need to prepare for and be extremely competitive about. We need to stay strong defensively, as well as attacking."
On goals for opening weekend..
"For the first week, I think it's really important that we set a standard for how we want to see ourselves the rest of the season. We need to come out as hard as we can and not worry too much about the results. Hope for the best results, but do what we can."
