The Martlet

UVic’s men’s soccer team crushed Simon Fraser University (SFU) on Sept. 6, defeating the Clan 2-1 in the Vikes’ last exhibition game before the new season.

The game capped off a successful preseason for the Vikes and featured some new faces on and off the pitch. The first half was highlighted by goals from last year’s Canada West MVP Cole McFarlane, and what would become the game-winning goal from Patrick Nelson.

SFU found some room in the second half, making it a 2-1 game with a goal at 67 minutes in. However, the Vikes remained stalwart and held off their competition to post a perfect 5-0 in the 2009 preseason.

The Vikes will not face the Clan in the regular season, as this fall marks SFU becoming the first post-secondary institution outside of the U.S. to become part of the NCAA.

Despite his team’s success, Nelson was quick to downplay the win.

“We can’t get ahead of ourselves. We need to take this one step at a time ... starting with two wins this coming weekend,” said the fouth-year defender.

The preseason was also a chance for head coach Bruce Wilson — who is going into his 23rd season with the Vikes — to try out his new players. There are 11 new faces on the team this year, and some of them are already making a difference.

Bobby Eng and Andrew Ravenhill are two first-year players who are have already seen game time this year. Both drawn from local soccer clubs, Eng has started as a defensive back and played the full 90 minutes against the Clan. Ravenhill came on in the second half and created numerous scoring chances.

Both players came out and trained with the team late last year, and were already familiar with the formations and playing style of the other Vikes members. Now they must get the game experience that will turn them into players that will be relied upon in future seasons.

“Both players are here because they’ve earned their spot,” said Wilson. “Bobby is performing quite well in the back, winning challenges against players larger than him. Andrew is there because of his speed, which we will be using to our every advantage. I expect to get a good five years out of both of them.”

There is also a new face on the coaching staff this year, as Trevor Stiles — an ex-Vike himself — returns to UVic to take the position of goalie coach. Stiles was the goalkeeper for the Vikes during their 2004 nationals win.

Last year, the Vikes won the Canada West Conference title, an accomplishment which Wilson sees as difficult to repeat.

“This year’s team is both stronger and deeper, but it will be difficult to take the division,” he said. “I think an important step is to make playoffs but also to host them.”

The Vikes hope to carry their convincing performance into the regular season, which kicks off at Centennial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12 against the University of Calgary Dinos. UVic will hit the home pitch again on Sunday, Sept. 13 against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.