Friday, Oct. 11: Cascades (3-4-4, 5th in Pacific Division) at Trinity Western Spartans (7-4-1, 3rd in Pacific Division), 7:15 p.m., Chase Office Field
Sunday, Oct. 13: Cascades vs. Spartans, 4 p.m., MRC Sports Complex
Webcast: CanadaWest.tv

With just four games remaining in the regular season, it's clearly crunch time for the Cascades – they're currently fifth in the Pacific Division, and only the top four teams advance to the playoffs.

They're looking to bank points against a red-hot Spartans side which, after starting the season 1-3, has gone 5-1-1 over its last seven games to soar to third in the division. This local derby – contested annually in a home-and-home format – always crackles with intensity and physicality.

"It's coming down to the make or break time of the year, and we'll have to start pulling some results together," acknowledged Cascades head coach Tom Lowndes, whose squad is coming off a bye week. "I think we've been unlucky at times this year – I think we've deserved at least a couple more wins. But that's Canada West soccer – you don't always get what you deserve.

"The Spartans are difficult to play against, well-coached, and a young group that's got a lot of belief. We'll have to go there and be at our best on Friday, and really focus on what we do and look to cause them problems."

Players to watch: Fifth-year forward Gurmaan Jhaj had one of his best performances of the season in the Cascades' last outing – Sept. 29 at Thompson Rivers – providing great hold-up play and assisting on Jehmrode Kahlon's goal. He's on the brink of a significant statistical achievement – he's currently tied with Sasa Plavsic (2010-2012) on the Cascades' career goal-scoring list with 20, and his next goal will give him sole possession of the record. Standing in his way this weekend is Spartans third-year goalkeeper Sebastian Colyn, who leads Canada West with six clean sheets this season with a .750 save percentage.