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UNBC soccer teams’ pitch for playoff runs next season begins in August

Lady T-Wolves open season at home, Men’s program starts on the road
Kyle Balzer
Kyle Balzer
UNBC Men's and Women's soccer
UNBC Timberwolves' men's and women's soccer teams in action at Masich Place Stadium (via UNBC Athletics/Kyle Balzer)

Canada West has unveiled the schedule for the upcoming season of university footy in Prince George.

The UNBC Timberwolves soccer squads are gearing up their 2019 campaigns and are hoping to match some of 2018’s records on the pitch, with the women’s team eyeing a third straight playoff berth and the men hoping to get back into the post-season after missing out last season.

On the men’s side, they begin their quest for redemption on the road against UBC-O on Aug. 23 and 24; their first set of home games is set for Labour Day weekend.

The Lady T-Wolves will have home-advantage to start the year, facing Thompson Rivers on Thursday, Sept. 5 and Saturday, Sept. 7 against UBC-Okanagan (UBC-O).

All home games will be played at Masich Place Stadium with various start times.

WOMEN’S PROGRAM

Much like their basketball counterparts, the Lady T-Wolves made history in 2018 by winning their first-ever Canada West playoff game.

UNBC defeated Manitoba on the road 2-1 via penalty kicks as goalkeeper Brooke Molby stopped three of four shots.

They finished 3-8-3 during the season, taking the last playoff spot in the Pacific Division, and would go on to lose to 3-1 to UBC in the quarter-finals.

The ladies will be without graduating athletes Madison Emmond (the program’s all-time games played leader) and Kylie Erb, but signed six new players in the off-season, including Hallie Nystedt’s sister Avery.

Julia Babicz will be the only fifth-year on the roster for 2019.

MEN’S PROGRAM

The men’s soccer team compiled a record of 5-4-6, their best since joining Canada West in 2012.

They were on the cusp of making a second trip to the playoffs in three years, but were eliminated by Thompson Rivers (TRU) as the Wolfpack won their last three games of the season to clinch the final spot.

Revenge will be in sight when TRU comes to Prince George for the final weekend of the season, Oct. 19 and 20.

There will be now fifth-year players on the roster in 2019, but returning athletes include Cody Gysbers, Jonah Smith, Owen Stewart, James Stephens, Joel Watson, and goalkeeper Rob Goodey.

The team said goodbye to 10 players like Francesco Bartolillo, the 2018 recipient of the U-Sports Student-Athlete Community Service Award, the first national award for a UNBC Athletics program in school history.