Prince George, B.C.- UNBC’s first year as a member of the Canada West and the CIS kicks off this weekend with the UNBC Timberwolves men’s soccer team visiting the defending CIS champion University of Victoria Vikes this evening , and a rematch tomorrow.

 

It is a fresh year with 17 new faces plus the addition of a new head coach, Alan Alderson, the team who placed fourth in their collegiate conference in 2011 will be looking to build their program into a top contender in the Canada West.

 

Head coach Alan Alderson is the one charged with leading the Timberwolves through their transition into the Canada West. Alderson brings a wealth of provincial, national, and university level coaching experience to the field.

 

Rookie trio Tyson Hunter (Langley, BC), Connor Noftle (Chilliwack, BC) and Tyrone Venhola (Abbotsford, BC) all made the move up north to play for coach Alderson. The three spread themselves across the field starting with Venhola in net, Noftle in the backline and Hunter in the midfield. Hunter has been showing his skills while connecting with midfield transfer Sourosh Amani. Amani has made a name for himself by being involved in each of the Timberwolves preseason goals, and will be an integral part of the UNBC offense.

 

The young UNBC side will look to transfer Logan Phenuff (Sherbrook, AB) to help lead the back field along with support from local defender Brett Bobier (Prince George, BC). Phenuff, who comes with one year of college soccer experience, will be a pivotal player in the UNBC defense line.

 

Out of the six returning players Danny Dell (Burns Lake, BC) is one to keep an eye on. The Timberwolves sole fifth year player, Dell was ranked in the PacWest’s top scorers during the 2011 season. Timberwolves’ fans will also welcome back midfielders Alessandro Deviato and Andrew Seabrook who return to the Timberwolves line-up after an absence.

 

This evening’s game starts at 7:15 and can be watched at uvic.canadawest.tv.

 

As for the women, they are off to Manitoba, where they will start their season tomorrow in an afternoon match up against the University of Winnipeg at 4 pm and then on Sunday, they are up against the University of Manitoba at noon.

 

New  head coach Andy Cameron, has 2 decades of experience at the CIS level. Cameron will look to boost the roster with new recruits Sideny Roy (Burnaby, BC), Jessica Manning (Prince George, BC), and Katie Blokker (London, ON). Manning and Blokker will add energy and athleticism to the Timberwolves midfield, while Roy will add the dynamic attack needed up front. Roy has proven her value in training camp, racking up the majority of the Timberwolves goals during their preseason scrimmages.  

 

The UNBC back field will be supported by three second year players Tanya Grob (Quesnel, BC), Sydney Hall (Prince George, BC), and Georgia Lahti (Prince George, BC). Hall will be joined again by her twin sister Jordan Hall (Prince George, BC) who was the starting keeper for the Timberwolves in 2011.