The UBC Okanagan Heat men will play the nationally ranked #2 Alberta Golden Bears on Saturday afternoon at 1:15 PM PT at Foote Field in Edmonton.
Game Times (PST)
Canada West Quarter-finals
SATURDAY, OCT 29th, 2016:
1:15 PM (PT) | Heat Men's Soccer (6-8-2) at the University of Alberta Golden Bears (13-1-2)
Webcast | Live Stats @ Foote Field, Edmonton, AB
UBC OKANAGAN HEAT (7-10-5, 6-8-2 Canada West)CIS National Ranking: N/A
CanWest Standings: 4th - Pacific
Last week: 1-1-0, Fri W @ UBC (1-0); Sat W @ UVic (3-2)
Streak: 1 W
2015-16 Record: 3-5-4, 5th Pacific Division
2016 CanWest Playoffs: N/A
2016 CIS Tournament: N/A
2015-16 Overall Record: (7-5-5)
Last CanWest Title: N/A
Last CIS Title: N/A
This week for the Heat: This week marks the first week of play offs for the Heat men’s soccer team. With only a singular game to determine the quarter-final the Kelowna squad will be matched up against the University of Alberta. The first and only game of the series is set for Saturday (Oct. 29) in Edmonton at the at the Foote Field with a start time of 1:15 p.m. PT
Current Form: Coming off of the last weekend of regular season games with a (1-0) loss to UBC and a play off clinching (3-2) win against the University of Victoria, the Heat completed their 2016-17 campaign with a record of (6-8-2). Claiming the fourth and final playoff spot in the conferences final minutes, the Heat will compete in their second ever Canada West playoffs. UBC Okanagan is returning to the playoffs, their second trip in three years in Canada West. In 2014, the Heat travelled to Vancouver to play the Thunderbirds. A match they lost (3-0).
Key Players: The Heat have been led by rookie Nikhil Reddy in regular season play. With three goals and one assist, the 5’10 midfielder has proven that his physicality and quick feet can win games for the Heat. Following Reddy is Luke Warkentin with two goals and four assists in the regular season. As a quick forward, Warkentin has shown that his ability to get by defenders can break down opponents defense and assist the Heat in scoring. UBCO would not be in the playoffs without the presence of keeper Mitch McCaw, who has made many spectaclur saves to keep the Heat in matches. He finished the year with five shutouts and turned away over 80% of the shots he faced.
Team Stat: Finishing the season in the fourth and final playoff spot the Heat have been able to acquire 13 goals in the 16 games they played. The Kelowna squad was also able to take 119 shots and finished with a .109 shot percentage. Preparing for the playoffs ahead the Heat will have to be prepared to battle on the field as the Bears have taken almost double the amount of shots (202) during their regular season play.
Overall Head to Head (W-L-T) vs UofA (0-1-0): The Heat and the Bears have only played one match against each other since the Heat joined Canada West in 2014. This match was during late September of this 2016/2017 season and the Heat lost (3-1) on Edmonton turf.
2016 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 13 goals, T12th
Defence: 20 goal against, 6th
22016 CW regular season leaders:
Goals: 3 – Nikhil Reddy, M
Assists: 3 – Cole Kingzett, M
Points: 3 – Luke Warkentin, F / Nikhil Reddy, M / Cole Kingzett, M
Wins: 6 – Mitch McCaw, GK
Shutouts: 5 – Mitch McCaw, GK
University of Alberta Golden Bears (13-1-2 Canada West) CIS National Ranking: N/A
CanWest Standings: 1st - Pacific
Last week: Bye
Streak: 1 W
2015-16 CW Regular Season Record: 8-4-0, 2nd Pacific Division
2015-16 CIS Playoff Record: 0-1
2015-16 Overall Record: N/A
Last CW Title/Total CW Titles: 2011 / 10
Last CIS Title/Total CIS Titles: 2006 / 4
Bears: On Saturday the Heat will play the University of Alberta in the first round of playoffs, finishing first in Prairie Division the Bears are coming off of a split weekend and will be looking to defend their home turf as the Heat will head to Edmonton to play on Saturday (Oct. 29) at the Foote Field with a start time of 1:15 p.m.
Current Form: Coming off of a bye in the last weekend of regular season, the Bears two weeks ago finished with a (0-1) loss against the University of Lethbridge and a (2-1) win against the University of Saskatchewan. With the split the Bears were able hold a record of (13-1-2) and maintain their first place spot in the Prairie division. With the only loss on the season in that Lethbridge match, after they had clinched home field advantage for the entire Canada West Post season.
Key Players: The Bears were led by Ajeej Sarkaria who finished the regular season with 19 goals, making him the top striker in the country. In addition to his impressive ability to score, Sarkaria also finished the season with eight assists and a total of 25 points putting him first in that category. Following Sarkaria for the Bears was Niko Saler with four goals and seven assists.
Team Stat: With a total of 41 goals scored in the regular season, the Bears finished the season seventh in the country for that category. With a relentless offensive line that has almost doubled the Heats shots (202) during their 2016/2017 campaign, the Heat will have to be prepared to defend the Bears as they are ferocious in the front of the pitch.
Preseason preview Canadawest.org
2016 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 26 goals, 3rd
Defence: 10 goals against, 1st
2016 CW regular season leaders:
Goals: 19 – Ajeej Sarkaria, F
Assists: 7 – Niko Saler, D
Points: 25 – Ajeej Sarkaria, F
Wins: 13 – Connor James, GK
Shutouts: 7 – Connor James, GK
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