Both UBC Okanagan Heat soccer teams are on the road this weekend as they continue preparations for their inaugural campaign in the Canada West conference.
Claire Paterson’s women’s squad will be in Alberta to face Mount Royal on Saturday and the U of Calgary on Sunday.
The UBCO men will head south of the border for games against Puget Sound on Sunday, Pacific Lutheran on Tuesday and St. Martin’s on Wednesday, July 26.
Last weekend, Dante Zanatta’s men’s team team scrimmaged with some old PACWEST foes in Vancouver and came away with a draw and a win.
On Saturday the Heat and the CCAA bronze medalists from 2013, the Douglas College Royals, battled to a 1-1 draw, and on Sunday UBC Okanagan dismissed the Langara Falcons by a score of 2-1.
“I’m happy with the weekend.,” said Zanatta. “The two training games worked well. It gave all players a chance to play and a chance for the coaches to see what they can do.” Dante added how he was able to see how the new guys fit in, explaining that by the end of the weekend his coaching staff had a good idea on some possible lineup combinations and on what the new guys can bring in different spots.
Meanwhile, the Heat women played a pair of games Saturday in Washington.
UBCO fell 4-1 to Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash. on Saturday afternoon in the first game of their double header.
Saturday evening in Kirkland, Wash., the Heat played a stronger game but allowed a late goal (84th min) that would be their undoing as they fell 1-0 to Northwest University.
The Heat women will host Douglas College in an exhibition game Aug. 28.
The CIS season gets under way for both Heat teams on the road in Prince George, as they visit the UNBC Timberwolves for games on Saturday and Sunday.
