The no. 5 UBC Thunderbirds women's soccer team is hosting its first two home games of the year, fresh off a big road win at arch-rivals Trinity Western last Saturday.
On Friday night, UBC (1-0) hosts the University of Regina Cougars (0-1-1). Then on Saturday, the University of Manitoba Bisons (0-2) visit the Point Grey campus.
Both games begin at 5:00 p.m. at Thunderbird Park.
No. 5 UBC THUNDERBIRDS
CIS Ranking: 5
Canada West Standing: 4th
Last Week: beat Trinity Western 1-0
2010 conference record: 8-5-1 (4th)
2010 CW Tournament: 2nd
2010 CIS Tournament: 6th
Last CW Title: 2007
Last CIS Title: 2006
VANCOUVER - UBC head coach Mark Rogers says his players should be proud of their season-opening 1-0 win at Trinity Western on Saturday, which saw
Rachael Sawer (North Vancouver, BC) score the only goal in the 65th minute.
But he says his team needs to be in top form this weekend to beat Regina and Manitoba.
“Complacency is always an issue with young athletes,” said Rogers. “I said to my players that it is important they don't get carried away and make sure their first game of the season isn't their best one. Make sure we build from there.”
Rogers talks about the areas where he's looking for improvement.
“Going forward, we need to continue to keep the ball, possess the ball a little bit better,” said Rogers. “It takes a long time to develop that skill in a team. Towards the other team's end, be a little more ruthless in front of goal. I think we create a lot of chances, I think our ratio could be better in terms of how many we take. But from a defensive standpoint, the players have been solid and that's a solid platform to work from.”
Last season, Manitoba tied UBC 0-0 in the Thunderbirds' home opener on September 17. UBC then beat Regina the next day by a score of 3-0.
MANITOBA BISONS
CIS Ranking: N/A
Canada West Standing: 9th (tied)
Last Week: lost to Fraser Valley 2-1, lost to Victoria 2-0
2010 CW Record: 1-9-4, 9th
2010 CW Tournament: N/A
2010 CIS Tournament: N/A
Last CW Title: N/A
Last CIS Title: N/A
WINNIPEG – The Bisons women's soccer team looks to improve on last season's 1-9-4 record with a solid core group of returning players, all of which have worked hard in the off-season to improve their play. The goal for the 2011 edition of the Bisons is to make the playoffs. Leading those veterans is last season's leading scorer for the Bisons, Carrie Nash. Her four goals were two clear of team mate Paula Fast for the team lead. Nash was also named a Canada West All-Star last season. Laura Harrison also returns to the goalkeeper position this season, but will have competition for the starting job. Her competition will be Chloe Werle, a very athletic goalkeeper with lots of potential. Werle started one game for the Bisons last year and played in three. Chris Lewis returns as head coach for his second season, but Lewis has also brought in three new assistant coaches with high levels of experience both on the field as players and on the sidelines as coaches. Desiree Scott, fresh off her appearance at the FIFA Women's World Cup, will join Lewis, along with Hadyn Sloane-Seale and Amy Anderson.
REGINA COUGARS
CIS Ranking: N/A
Canada West Standing: 7th
Last Week: tied Victoria 1-1, lost to Fraser Valley 2-1
2010 CW Record: 5-7-2 (8th)
2010 CW Tournament: N/A
2010 CIS Tournament: N/A
Last CW title: N/A
Last CIS title: N/A
REGINA - The Cougars set program records for both wins and points during the 2010 campaign, and return almost the entire roster as they look to build upon that performance in 2011. Headlining the returners is fifth-year goalkeeper and co-captain Michelle Anderson, who became the first player in U of R history to be named a Canada West First-Team All-Star after a spectacular 2010 season. Also back is fourth-year left back Sarah Novak, who led all Cougar outfielders in minutes played last year and serves as the team's other co-captain. Fifth-year defender Dana Renneberg, one of four of the team's outfielders to register over 1000 minutes played in 2010, will also be a stalwart for the Cougars on the back line. Tiffany Gyurek, Meagan Cormier, Molly Glass, and Megan Florizoneare also back. Tayler Firth tied for the team lead in goals last season and is also in the mix at midfield. Up front, they return veteran striker Tegan Koroluk and second-year players Adrianna Bonutti and Jayde McFee, while first-year forward Veronica Boesch is also pushing hard for playing time in her first season on campus.
