Year two for the UBC Okanagan Heat in the Canada West women's soccer league will open on the road in Winnipeg. Friday versus the home Winnipeg Wesmen (4 p.m. PST) and Saturday against the Manitoba Bisons at 2 p.m. PST.
Game Times
FRIDAY, SEP. 4th:
4 PM (PST) | UBC Okanagan (0-0-0) at Winnipeg (0-0-0)
TICKETS @ Winnipeg Soccer Complex (John Scouras Field #1).
SATURDAY, SEP. 5th:
2 PM (PST) | UBC Okanagan (0-0-0) at Manitoba (0-0-0)
TICKETS @ University of Manitoba Turf Fields - West Field (Fort Garry Campus)
KELOWNA, B.C - To open the Canada West season the Heat enter new territory, or more specifically a new Province. For the first time in the history of varsity soccer on the Okanagan campus will a team travel to Manitoba.
UBC Okanagan notched a win and a loss in their preseason, the women's soccer team also scrimmaged the Dinos twice in Calgary and had a match cancelled due to smoke creating low air quality.
Last season, the Heat women's soccer first in Canada West, was a positive year for the program. Winning one and playing four to a draw the Heat finished with a record of 1-7-4.
Offense: In 2014-15 three players were tied for the lead in goals with two: Courtney Hemmerling (F/2), Michelle Smith (M/5), Hayley Carlson, Hemmerling and Smith are back but Carlson's has graduated and the team will miss her sure-footedness on PK's and Free kicks. In the preseason two rookies have notched goals (Kaylin Ferguson and Ally Ferronato). The Heat, last in the league in scoring last year, will need the young players to continue to provide offense.
Winnipeg: The Wesmen women's soccer team has not been in Canada West much longer the UBC Okanagan, 2015-16 will be just the team's fourth year. In 2014-15 the Wesmen scored the same number of goals as the Heat (7) and finished with a record of (1-11-0).
Manitoba: The Bisons played to a (4-4-4) record last year just six points out of a playoff spot. The Bisons, like the Heat, will be a very young squad. Manitoba has nine rookies on the roster along with six sophomores. UBC Okanagan also boasts nine first year players, but are carrying eight sophomores, two more then the Bisons.
New Format. New Schedule: To qualify for the post-season in Canada West in 2015 the top six in each of the two regions will qualify. There will be now 14 regular season games as opposed to 12 in 2014 campaign and the schedule will be a cross over between the Pacific and Prairie Division. Full Canada West schedule here.
Record Against: The Heat have never faced either team from Manitoba.
Successful Alumni Game: Last Saturday UBC Okanagan head women's soccer coach had her squad tuneup against a veritable all-star team from her coaching years here at UBC Okanagan. Playing for the Alumni were: Jennifer Kidd, Hayley Uyeyama, Marissa Klees, Emma Nixon, Christine Tallon, C.J. Murchie, Sabrina Gasparac, Alexa Kennedy, Liz Babcock, Paige Jowes, Taylor Sarchet, Lindsey Briggs, Sydney Nakazawa, Lana Finley, Holly Wollmann, and were coach by Madeleine Greig and Peter Rochfort. Check out the photo gallery here.
Second year keeper Balletta will be taking over for graduated keeper Christine Tallon. Balletta, who comes from a long line of keepers, logged just 20 minutes of game time in her freshman year.
Rookie Kaylin Ferguson scored two goals last weekend versus a strong Heat Alumni team. This rookie forward will be looked at to provide offense for UBC Okanagan