By Emad Agahi (Contributor) – Email
Print Edition: March 27, 2013
The UFV men’s soccer team kicked off their spring exhibition season this weekend at the annual Keg Classic hosted this year at Vancouver Island University. The Keg Classic features the four CIS teams in British Columbia – UFV, Trinity Western, UBC and UVic. This tournament is a good chance for teams to shake off some rust and start building for the upcoming year. UFV is coming off a season in which the team made major strides towards becoming a contender in the Canada West division, finishing only one point back of the last playoff spot. The Cascades also won last year’s Keg Classic with wins over both Victoria and Trinity Western.
The opening game featured UFV again playing the host, Victoria, in a semi-final matchup. The teams matched up twice during the regular season resulting in a 2-2 draw and a 2-1 victory for the Vikes. Victoria came out firing in the first half scoring two goals within the first quarter of an hour played. UFV managed to fend off the first half onslaught of chances and went into stoppage down by a pair. There was no scoring in the second half as teams exchanged chances at either end but were not able to beat goaltenders Mark Village (UFV) and Elliott Mitrou (UVIC).
The loss meant UFV now faced Trinity Western for third place on Sunday. Matches versus Trinity are always ones that the players look forward to as the teams have developed a healthy rivalry due to their close vicinity. In the 2012 season UFV was 0-2 versus the Spartans losing both games by a score of 2-1.
This time, the game ended in a 0-0 tie; however, UFV must be very disappointed not to have come out on top. A goaltending change; which saw Jake Kubanski starting, and improved offensive play led many to believe that the Cascades deserved a better result. UFV outshot Trinity 11-3 in the game and if it wasn’t for Spartans goal keeper Andrew Hicks, some of those shots would have surely turned into goals.
UFV head coach Alan Errington has his work cut out for him this coming summer as the recruitment process will be very crucial. The team will be losing graduating seniors Sasa Plavsic, Craig Robinson, and Brian Davis; key players that the Cascades have relied on in big games the past few years. Their replacement will not be easy; however, with the program’s increased success and growth, Errington should have no issue loading up on talent going into the 2013 season.
