Friday, Sept 2: Cascades vs Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack, 7 p.m., Rotary Stadium
Sunday Sept 4: Cascades vs UBC Okanagan Heat, 1 p.m., Rotary Stadium
Watch: canadawest.tv
 
The Match-Up

The University of the Fraser Valley men's soccer squad takes to the pitch to open their 2022 Canada West season this weekend as they face the TRU Wolfpack on Friday before closing out the weekend with a Sunday matchup against the UBCO Heat.  

The Cascades had a bye week to start the season, while both of their opponents got off the mark last weekend.

TRU is coming off a six-point opening week after beating the UBC Thunderbirds in their opener 2-0 and knocking off the Victoria Vikes 3-0. UBCO picked up a point to start their season with a 1-1 draw against Victoria but fell to UBC 4-1 the following night.

"Friday night will be a tough game against TRU" noted UFV head coach Tom Lowndes. "Obviously with them hosting nationals this year they have stacked their roster -- they are physical, athletic and they can play, so we need to be switched on to get a result out of the game."

"On Sunday it's a younger UBCO team, but they always work hard and make it difficult for you. They will be tough to break down defensively, so again we are going to need to be switched on and test them"

UFV was slotted at ninth in the annual Canada West coaches poll, but will be looking to improve on that placing just one year removed from a Canada West Final Four appearance.

"We have had good preseason performances from some young guys like Bhagvir Sidhu, and we are excited to see Ivan Mejia in Canada West action because he can be a handful for defenders."

The Cascades attack will also count Manpal Brar, Mateo Brazinha, Mikael Mainella, and Taylor Richardson among those who will cause problems for the opposition.

On the defensive side, fourth-year player Sahib Sidhu will look to anchor the backline alongside newcomer Nicolas Burret.

"We have plenty of attacking options. We just have to focus on being sound defensively, limiting other team's opportunities, and being good on set pieces" explained Lowndes, "we are all looking forward to playing at home and getting the season started."
 
See the full UFV Cascades men's soccer season schedule here.