Friday, Oct. 22: Cascades (4-4-2, T-3rd in West Division) at UBC Okanagan Heat (2-5-3, 5th in West Division), 4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 23: Cascades at UBC Okanagan, 4 p.m.
Kelowna, B.C.
Webcast: CanadaWest.tv presented by Co-op

THE MATCH-UP

The Cascades are on the brink of clinching a playoff spot, requiring just one win over their upcoming weekend at UBC Okanagan to secure a wild-card berth which goes to either the West Division's fourth-place finisher or the Central Divison's third-place finisher. One win would be enough to guarantee the UFV side will finish ahead of the Mount Royal Cougars – the likely third-place finisher in the Central.

Beyond that, the Cascades are jockeying with the UVic Vikes for third place in the West – both teams head into the final weekend of the regular season with matching 4-4-2 records. The Vikes are at home vs. UBC this week. Whichever of the two teams finishes higher would face the top seed in the Central Division (either MacEwan or Calgary) in the first round of the playoffs; the lower finisher (providing they earn enough points for the wild card) would face West Division first-place finisher Trinity Western in the first round.

The UBCO Heat, meanwhile, are still mathematically alive for a playoff berth, but nothing less than two wins over UFV this weekend will do it.

The two teams met in the preseason, with UBCO rallying from a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 on Aug. 21.

RECENT FORM

The Cascades have won four games in a row, most recently sweeping the UNBC Timberwolves by scores of 2-1 and 1-0 last weekend.

The Heat raised eyebrows across Canada West – and opened the door for UFV to finish as high as third in the West Division – with their performance last week, sweeping UVic in Kelowna by scores of 1-0 and 4-0. The latter result marked a new UBCO program record for goals in a game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Simi Lehal, UFV – The versatile fifth-year athlete turned in perhaps the best game of her UFV career last Friday vs. UNBC – she started the game at centre back, moved up front to begin the second half, created both UFV goals (one goal, one assist), then moved back to centre back to help protect the lead. Lehal is tied for second on the team in points with three, ranks fifth in minutes played (734), and has been dominant wherever she's been stationed on the pitch during an outstanding senior season.

Stefanie Young, UBCO – The sophomore midfielder from Kelowna has already broken UBCO's program record for goals in a season with five, including a goal and an assist last Saturday vs. UVic.

QUOTABLE

"It feels really good to have the opportunity not to be in the wild-card spot – that's very encouraging. We're so cohesive as a group, and it's because of the relationships we have as players. We're all best friends, and we're all showing up for each other, every training session and every game. It feels super-positive, and I love it." – Cascades defender Taylor Nekic

"I've played against and with a few of the girls who are now fifth-years at UBCO, and I know they're very technically skilled players. We've got to be able to come together and score some great goals and hopefully get the six points this weekend." – Nekic, on the Heat