The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) women’s soccer team (WSOC) finished the 2024 season with 11 points in the Canada West standings and compiled a record of 3-9-2. Despite the results not favouring the Cascades this season, a highlight was defeating Mount Royal University (MRU) 2-0 in the team’s home opener on Sept. 10, 2024.
One of the bright spots this season for the Cascades was found in second-year goalkeeper Addy Chen. Chen registered career-highs in both games played (eight) and wins (two) this season, and achieved their first Canada West shutout in the MRU game.
“It was a really hard-fought game and we had come off a pretty tough weekend,” Chen told The Cascade, looking back on the match.
Chen made four saves to secure the win, one of which they still remember fondly.
“I had one off a cross that I got a small touch on, that if I didn’t, would have been in the net … so that was pretty exciting!” said Chen.
The team had to adjust and develop to meet the standards required of university soccer this season. Chen emphasized that the team hopes to yield better results as they build more team chemistry.
As they adjust to integrating new players and establishing rhythm as a unit, the Cascades will look to evolve similarly to how they did over the course of this past season. Chen expressed that the first few games of the season were a struggle, but what stuck out was each individual player’s will to persevere. As the season progressed, continuity grew, and players were able to predict passes and placements with more familiarity.
Rookie forward Emerson Toop immediately impressed by breaking the team’s goal drought this season. She scored the very first goal of the season and went on to make significant impact, scoring a total of three goals and qualifying for Canada West’s all-rookie team.
“You don’t see a lot of rookies play a lot of minutes … it’s kind of an anomaly in the league … she did really well, she brought energy to the field every time she came up,” Chen said, reflecting on Toop’s debut campaign.
The group’s strategy was to play defence-first, and further use counter-attacks to create opportunities to score. By holding their ground and using the midfield as a bridge for transitions, the team was able to compete against opponents like University of Northern British Columbia and Trinity Western University in one of the hardest leagues in Canada.
Along with Chen, the Cascades’ goalie tandem also included first-year keeper Alana Madec. With her exceptional skills, she shared the net with Chen almost equally, recording 33 saves this season. The two keepers’ relationship encouraged a healthy rivalry to earn more playing time, stabilizing the Cascades in net for the foreseeable future.
“I think she’s a really good goalkeeper. We switched a lot, and it created a competitive atmosphere — bringing us both to our best,” Chen said of Madec.
Chen hopes this season serves as a stepping stone for the team. The success of the Cascades’ men’s soccer team (MSOC) after coming off a difficult year left a strong impression, and shows a tangible path for the WSOC team to follow.
“They did not have a great season last year, but this year, they did really well. So, if we can take a page from their book and keep working together, I have faith that we can do really well next year.”
With their unwavering work ethic, budding team spirit, and rising talents, the Cascades are set for success. So, here’s to wishing them a productive off season of training and the best of luck for the season ahead!
Hello, I’m Gauri Sethi, a passionate staff writer at the Cascade responsible for writing content that resonates with the masses. Currently, I am pursuing business administration, but deep down, I am a person who loves expressing herself through writing.
