Canada West Women's Soccer Preview
UNBC Timberwolves @ TRU WolfPack
Friday, September 8, 2023 at 6 PM
UNBC Timberwolves (0-2-0)
8th in Pacific Division Standings
1 Goal For
7 Goals Against
Goals Leader: Claire Turner: 1 Goal
Assists Leader: Kalista Kirkness: 1 Assist
Points Leader: Claire Turner, Kalista Kirkness: 1 Point
Returning Saves Leader: Brityn Hinsche: 19 Saves
Player to Watch: Kalisa Kirkness, D
Not the biggest or fastest on the pitch, but incredibly smart, extremely hard-working, and truly effective. In her third year playing full back for the Timberwolves, Kalista Kirkness has turned into one of the most reliable players on the pitch for Neil Sedgwick's side. Perennially among the conference leader in passes completed, the Chilliwack native is essential to the TWolves at both ends of the pitch and will need to be effective against a pacy WolfPack team.
TRU WolfPack (1-2-0)
6th in Pacific Division Standings
4 Goals For
8 Goals Against
Goals Leader: Clark, Lemon, Baird, Grether: 1 Goal
Assists Leader: Clark, Lemon, Lufo: 1 Assist
Points Leader: Emily Clark, Caylah Lemon: 2 Points
Saves Leader: Aneesa O'Brien: 15 Saves
Player to Watch: Emily Clark, F
Coming off a four-goal, three-assist campaign in 2022, Emily Clark has picked up where she left off last season, with a goal and an assist in three games. One of the more underrated attackers in the conference, the Kamloops product has the frame to give smaller defenders trouble, but the speed to beat slower opposition. The Timberwolves will need to be aware of where the fourth-year is on the pitch.
UNBC Timberwolves @ UBC Okanagan Heat
Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 530 PM
UNBC Timberwolves (0-2-0)
8th in Pacific Division Standings
1 Goal For
7 Goals Against
Goals Leader: Claire Turner: 1 Goal
Assists Leader: Kalista Kirkness: 1 Assist
Points Leader: Claire Turner, Kalista Kirkness: 1 Point
Returning Saves Leader: Brityn Hinsche: 19 Saves
Player to Watch: Maleah Fernie, D
It didn't take long for Maleah Fernie to establish herself as a member of the Timberwolves' present and future. Starting the first two games of her Canada West career, the center back was steady and calm playing center back next to UNBC vet Avery Nystedt. Talented with the ball at her feet, the Kamloops product will be looked to for strong defending, but also the ability to take her space, advance the ball, and find her teammates upfield.
UBCO Heat (2-0-1)
2nd in Pacific Division Standings
4 Goals For
2 Goals Against
Goals Leader: Stefanie Young: 2 Goals
Assists Leader: Abigail Taneda: 2 Assists
Points Leader: Young, Taneda: 2 Points
Saves Leader: Talia Gagnon: 11 Saves
Player to Watch: Stefanie Young, F
After missing the 2022 season with injury, Stefanie Young is back with the Heat, and back as one of the most threatening attacking players in the conference. A 2021 Canada West All-Star, Young has two goals in three games this year, pairing with speedy forward Abigail Taneda to give defenders fits. UNBC will have the Kelowna product's name circled on their scouting report.
Milestones
- Claire Turner needs one game to reach 40 games played in her Canada West career
- Kjera Hayman needs one game to reach 30 games played in her Canada West career
- Avery Nystedt needs one game to reach 30 games played in her Canada West career
- Kalista Kirkness needs one game to reach 30 games played in her Canada West career
- Claire Turner needs one point to tie Madison Emmond for fifth in career points in UNBC's Canada West history
Quotes
UNBC's Kjera Hayman
On the first roadtrip of the season…
"Preparing for a road game is a lot different than if you were to play at home. It's different fields, and for us, it's going to be sitting on a bus for eight hours. Our legs may be a bit sore, so we need to make sure we are keeping them moving, and getting good training sessions in before we head down."
On the matchup with the WolfPack…
"The whole time I have played here, the WolfPack has always been a very intense game. Playing TRU is always an interesting and fun game to watch and to play in, so I look forward to seeing that through."
On the matchup with the Heat…
"UBCO is also looking very good. It's tough competition. I think we play very similarly to UBCO, so it'll be very tricky. But it's nothing we can't handle. We have been training for a very long time and I think our defending has come a long way."
On getting better every day...
"Over the last few weeks, we have really been watching our gametape. Neil has been very good about contacting us about things we need to watch about ourselves. Tidy-ups from our last games, and we have definitely gone over all the film, looked at it, and we are making a lot of adjustments and changes."
