2009 Canada West preview

Canada West Overview

The most noticeable change in Canada West is that just four teams, not six of the 10, will qualify for the post-season. Only this year's Canada West champion will qualify for CIS Nationals at the University of Toronto.

Canada West player of the year and CIS rookie of the year Nikki Wright is back to lead the Trinity Western Spartans in defence of their national title. With stars like Wright, CIS tournament MVP Daniela Gerig and CWUAA all-stars such as Rebecca Ferguson, Jilian Dietrich and a top keeper in Kristen Funk, TWU is likely to compete for Canada West and CIS supremacy once again.

The Victoria Vikes went head-to-head with TWU in 2008 and were narrowly defeated. A return post-season match is quite possible. Seniors Kendra Flock and Jackie Snell lead the Vikes, while all-Canadian defender Holly Fiddick anchors the back end. Returning 'keeper Stephanie Parker, who stepped in admirably for injured starter Kasia Gwiazda last season, was named a second team all-star.

In Winnipeg, the Manitoba Bisons are now Canada West veterans hungry for a shot at the big prize, loaded with talents such as multi-sports star Caley Miskimmin, fellow all-star Desiree Scott and fifth-year defenders Jennifer Campbell and Dana Baker. Fourth-year netminder Ashley Forbes helps solidify a well-rounded, veteran roster hoping to break through and earn its first trip to Nationals.

The UBC Thunderbirds lost a little offensive "pop" last year, but still managed a third-place in Canada West Caitlin Davie will move back to midfield, while goalkeeper Jackie Dunnett and central defender Chelsea Stang, both CIS all-Canadians in 2008 are both back in the mix. Janine Frazao, sister of former UBC men's soccer standout forward Steve Frazao, is a new recruit.

Fifth-year captain and first team all-star Veronique Mayer is the Alberta Pandas' clear leader, with fellow all-stars Keshia Wallin and Jacqueline Smith bolstering a roster that is flush with talent. After squeaking into the post-season a year ago, Alberta will have to be at its best to crack the top four this time around. Likely starting goalie Sabrina Bullard and last year's No. 1 Alecia Baldwin provide experience in net.

UFV has the chance to move up from a ninth-place finish in 2008. The Cascades have a new bench boss in Colin Miller, while fifth-years Kristen Vanderpauw and defender Angela French, along with fourth-year defenders Emma Broadfoot and Lyndsay Munro return to strengthen a team that should see better results.

The Calgary Dinos and Saskatchewan Huskies have made strides and will need a solid season from key stars before making the grade in Canada West. Both seem unlikely, but have an outside shot at the post-season. Dinos all-star fullback, fourth-year, Lindsay Burrowes, along with Morena Ianniello, who suffered through an injury-plague 2008, and senior Annie Hayes, who also missed last season, have to step up and return to top form. Starting goaltender Kristen Barton posted all of Calgary's five wins a year ago. With nine goals in 2008, conference all-star Elizabeth Hudon was the standout leader of the Huksies' offence. The trouble, however, is with a defence that surrendered 36 goals. With a young defence and two rookie 'keepers in 2009, more growing pains may be ahead.

Lethbridge improved last year and fell just one win short of the playoffs, but the Pronghorns lost several key players and are expected to face a season of transition. And in Regina, third-year Cougars head coach Bob Maltman expects to put a few tallies in the win column this season after adding another strong recruiting class.


Alberta Pandas
2008 conference record: 6-5-3 (5th)
2008 CW tournament: 0-1 (5th)
Last CW title: 2001
Last CIS title: 2001

EDMONTON - The Alberta Pandas finished fifth during the 2008 conference season, good enough to make the playoffs, but no further, as they were sent home in the Canada West quarter-final by Manitoba. Alberta faces a tough task as the 2009 season commences, as only four of 10 teams will make the post-season instead of six.

Led by fifth-year head coach Liz Jepsen, the Pandas recorded a 6-5-3 conference mark last season and finished fourth in goals for, fifth in goals against. With a number of returning veterans and sophomore players, plus an influx of new talent, Alberta is looking to move into the Canada West elite. That's no easy task when you consider that Manitoba, Victoria and Trinity Western, the defending CIS champion, are the teams to beat at the top, and have been there for a few years.

The Pandas defence will be led by fifth-year captain Veronique Mayer in the central role and fourth-year Keshia Wallin on the flank. New recruit Shalla Kadima recently returned to Edmonton after representing Alberta at the recent Canada Summer Games, winning bronze, and brings tenacity and speed to the Pandas.

The central midfield will have plenty of attacking options as fifth-year Jackie Smith, 2009 CIS student-athlete award winner and Canada West assist leader, returns, as does Lindsay Stewart, who was off last season. Sophomore Elise Emmott, who notched two goals as a rookie last season, will also compete for a starting spot, while newcomer Robyn Yuzdepski, also of Alberta's bronze medal team and Canada's National Training Center, is strong defensively.

On the attack, the Pandas have plenty of options between Amanda Black (with a team-leading six goals in 2008), Christina Le (4 goals in '08), Sarah Smyth (2 goals), and new recruit Jenn Vos.

Alecia Baldwin and Sabrina Bullard are the returning 'keepers from last season, and Bullard has the inside edge at becoming the team's starting goalie.

The Pandas played four preseason games this September, recording a 3-0-1 record, against CIS and Canadian college teams.

"Preseason provided an opportunity for all the athletes to come together and focus for the upcoming competition," said Jepsen. "We have a challenging first home weekend facing two top-10-ranked teams, so building an early focus around this will be a guiding factor with all that we do."

UBC Thunderbirds
2008 conference record: 8-2-4 (3rd)
2008 CW tournament: 2-1 (3rd)
Last CW title: 2007
Last CIS title: 2006

VANCOUVER - After scoring 55 goals and allowing just eight against en route to topping the Canada West standings in 2007, the '08 edition of the T-Birds could not duplicate that goal-scoring success after losing some of the team's key offensive weapons in the off-season.

Although their conference-best defence got even better, allowing just six goals in 2008, the offence couldn't keep up, scoring only 21 goals in 14 regular season games before losing to Trinity Western on penalty kicks in the Canada West semifinals.

"Overall we had a good year and that Trinity Western game was one that either team could have won," said UBC coach Dick Mosher. "I felt we were the best defensive team in the country last season. On the other end we came up a little short in the goals department and that certainly hurt us at the end of the season. That is something we need to rectify this season."

Things are looking up for the T-Birds' attack in 2009, as added goal-scoring talent to the roster should take some pressure off the midfielders and backs, and make the 'Birds a well-balanced squad once again.

Janine Frazao, sister of former UBC men's soccer standout forward Steve Frazao, will join Sawyer and midfielders Amber Devriendt and Jordan Kitagawa as the local recruits for this year's T-Birds squad, while Christina Donnelly makes her way onto the roster from Ottawa, as the 'Birds look to rejuvenate their scoring touch with a healthy crop of young talent.

All-Canadian Caitlin Davie led the T-Birds with seven goals last season and will likely be a big contributor on the scoresheet again, despite moving back to midfield, as she boasts one of the most deadly long-range shots in the conference. Natalie Hirayama's move back to centre midfield (from striker) also looks to be a good one, as she returns to the position where she won Canada West rookie of the year and was a first team conference all-star in 2007.

But the focus isn't all on offence for the T-Birds this season, as their keeper and most of their back four from last year's number one-ranked defence return to the lineup. The T-Birds are anchored at the back by three World University Games participants in keeper Jackie Dunnett, central defender Chelsea Stang, both CIS all-Canadians in 2008, and fullback Jessica Briker.

Calgary Dinos
2008 conference record: 5-6-3 (6th)
2008 CW tournament: 0-1 (t-5th)
Last CW title: 2005
Last CIS title: 1998

CALGARY - A young Calgary Dinos team in 2008 managed a playoff berth as the sixth-seeded team in Canada West. While the sting of a first-round exit at the hands of UBC remains, the Dinos now know what is needed to take the next step towards success in a very solid conference.

The Dinos are led by a solid nucleus of players who return from 2008. Lindsay Burrowes (4th year, Calgary) is the stabilizing force the Dinos need in the midfield, a role she aptly performed last season. A second team Canada West all-star and a member of the Canadian women's soccer team at the recent Universiade in Serbia, Burrowes returns to give Calgary strong veteran leadership and experience.

Tessa Miller (2nd, Calgary) will look to build on a strong rookie season in which she recorded six goals and four assists on the Dinos' front line. She will be aided by Morena Ianniello (4th, Calgary) who, while affected by a nagging injury in 2008, remained an offensive presence for Calgary and figures to be stronger in 2009.

On defence, the Dinos will have a host of different players auditioning for the chance to protect third-year goaltender Kristen Barton (Calgary). Barton, who accounted for four of Calgary's five wins in 2008 and owned a solid 1.40 goals-against average, takes over on a full-time basis for Courtney Heffernan, who has moved on.

Annie Hayes (5th, Calgary), will get the biggest opportunity, as she attempts to regain her past form after sitting out 2008 due to injury. Hayes will be joined by Sheila Morrison (2nd, Red Deer, AB) and Vanessa Graham (2nd, Calgary), who both saw starting duty for the Dinos as rookies in 2008. Robyn Erhardt (1st, Calgary) and Katelyn Piotto (1st, DeWinton, AB) highlight a strong group of first year players who will be also be given every opportunity to crack the defensive rotation.

Head coach Robin Slot likes his team's chances in 2009, even with a decrease in the number of post-season qualifiers from six to four in Canada West this year.

"The development has been good so far, and the potential is there with this group," said Slot, who is entering his 15th year at the helm of the squad. "Even with the change in the playoff format, making the post-season is a realistic goal for us if we can cut down on our goals against and take advantage of those chances in front of the net."

UFV Cascades
2008 conference record: 3-8-3 (9th, missed playoffs)
Last CW title: none
Last CIS title: none

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. - The biggest change for the Cascades for 2009 is on the bench, with former Team Canada captain and National Team coach Colin Miller taking over the women's program.

His presence appears to be having a major impact from a recruiting standpoint. Miller was able to attract many of the Fraser Valley's top high school players to the Cascades soccer program through the off-season and looks for that success on the recruiting front to pay dividends on the field this season.

"I think the team this year will be far more competitive. Last year was a massive learning curve for all. The players this year have now gained great experience and are fitter than they were last year," stresses Miller, who dressed for 61 games as a player for Canada. "I want a team that will be brave and play an attractive type of football."

The Cascades will be led up front by Kristen Vanderpauw (5th year, Maple Ridge, BC), who was seventh in goals scored, with seven, and points, with 10, in 2008. Other veterans include defenders Angela French (5th, Langley, BC), Emma Broadfoot (4th, Abbotsford, BC), and Lyndsay Munro (4th, Maple Ridge) and midfielder Megan Webster (3rd, Abbotsford). Webster ranked third in Fraser Valley scoring last year with three goals and seven points. The Cascades also return starting keeper Chantelle Biagioni (2nd, Pitt Meadows, BC), who recorded a pair of shutouts last season.

"The key players are the senior players. They have shown during the preseason that they are prepared to lead by example. I have not lost any players from last year, so the work we did with the team has now sunk in," says Miller. "The new players have shown already that they will fit in to this level. They know that it is a much different world to the one that they have come from with regards to youth football."

Among those new players to watch out for are six-foot Chelsea Steffen of Abbotsford, Chilliwack's Danika Snook and Langley's Maddie Vaughan, all midfielders.

"There's no doubt in my mind the Western Conference is the toughest," says Miller. "The 'big three' of Trinity, UBC and UVIC will always be difficult to overcome. This makes the quest to qualify for the playoffs that much more difficult. I feel my squad is of a much-higher quality than last year, and there is greater competition for starting places, which is very important."

Lethbridge Pronghorns
2008 conference record: 4-7-3 (8th, missed playoffs)
Last CW title: none
Last CIS title: none

LETHBRIDGE - The 2008 season left a feeling of a missed opportunity after a veteran laden team failed to qualify for the post-season and now the Pronghorns face a season of transition, with the graduation of many key players, not to mention the fact that only four conference teams will grab post-season berths.

A definite source of excitement will be a return to an on-campus venue with the opening of the new U of L Stadium. While the field turf pitch is ready to go, with some co-operation from Mother Nature over the next couple weeks, the amenities of the field could be complete in time for their second week of home action at the end of September.

Gone from last season are stalwart keeper Megan Lumely, offensive catalyst Kelli Sauers and a pair of defenders, Kristen Dow and Jessica Dearlove.

Lumley, a 2007 first team all-star, played every minute over the past three seasons and leaves a big pair of shoes to fill. The goaltending duties will fall to a pair of 'keepers with no experience at the university level. Newcomer Meagan Dixon and last year's red-shirt Ashley Cowan will battle for the starting position.

With the departure of Dow and Dearlove, the job of anchoring the backline will fall to third-year local product Amy Schweitzer, who took huge strides last season in becoming a consistent shutdown defender. She will be assisted on the backline by Andrea Nippard.

An area of strength for the 'Horns this season should be the midfield with a solid returning core of veterans. Fifth-year senior Sam MacMillan, along with Janelle and Jaclyn Groten, will provide a solid base and stability, while new comer Kayla Faszer is expected to make contributions almost immediately.

Leading 2008 goal-scorer, Marley Walker, will need to fill the gap left by Sauers. Coming off the bench for much of the season, Walker looks to improve on her team leading five goals with increased playing time. MacMillan and the Groten twins will also be counted on to chip in offensively from the midfield.

A strong core group from the team that qualified for the post-season in 2007 still remains, but they will have to step up this season and lead the team with the graduation of last season's leadership group. There are big holes to fill but the Horns will look to gel as the season progresses and will rely on solid defensive shape to be successful this season.

Manitoba Bisons
2008 conference record: 7-6-1 (4th)
2008 CW tournament: 1-2 (4th)
Last CW title: none
Last CIS title: none

WINNIPEG - After two heart-breaking season-ending losses hat thwarted the Manitoba Bisons from making the CIS national championship stage - shootouts in 2008 and double overtime in 2007 during conference semifinals - the squad has refocused and rededicated its effort to make their initial goal of earning their first-ever CIS Nationals appearance in the program's five year history.

The Bisons have five original players playing this season from year-one lineup who will be leaned upon to provide the leadership and drive. The team is led upfront by team captain Desiree Scott and speedy striker Caley Miskimmin. Fifth-year Scott is returning to Manitoba after being selected for Team Canada squad that played in the 2009 Summer Universiade (World University Games) and was a 2008 Canada West first team all-star. Fifth-year Miskimmin was named 2008 Canada West second team all-star after placing second in scoring with 13 points (7g, 6a). Also returning for a fifth year are defenders Jennifer Campbell, Dana Baker and forward Lianna Bestvater, all three of whom have been integral parts of the program over the years.

In addition to the seniors, goalkeeper Ashley Forbes returns for her fourth campaign and looks to regain her sophomore form when she was fifth in conference in save percentage and had four shutouts. At midfield, fourth-year Kathryn Ateah and second-year Alison Kastner have both made impacts on both sides of the pitch. At the defender position, assistant captain and third year Michelle Kliment leads an experienced back-end with fifth-year Baker, third-year Carrie Nash and second-year Julie Lafreniere. Three freshmen that are expected to produce an impact are forward Cesha Hedley, defender Gillian Sidon and goalkeeper Hayleigh Bell.

As the 2009 season commences, 17 of the 25 players return to the full Bisons roster, while nine of the 11 starters will return for the Bison squad. The strength of the Bisons includes the depth, conditioning and flexibility of players to play different position coupled with the immense Canada West experience.

Head coach Walt McKee feels the first half is critical to set-up the season and finish off strong with home games at the end of the regular season. He feels the defence has improved over the last four years and the offense has been a strong point throughout for the team. He also commented that the team must be more consistent against the tough competition of the conference. McKee explained, "The team has finally got to the point that they have seen what it takes to reach the next step. This season, if we don't achieve and surpass last season's results, then it will be a disappointment as we believe we have the talent to be among the top teams in Canada West."

Regina Cougars
2008 conference record: 0-10-4 (10th, missed playoffs)
Last CW title: none
Last CIS title: none

REGINA - Entering his third season, Regina head coach Bob Maltman has another solid crop of incoming recruits and feels that his Cougars are ready to take the next step towards the rest of the Canada West competition.

"I've been very impressed with the commitment shown by the returning veterans and the way that the first-year players have fit in so far," Maltman said. "The bottom line is that we need to win games, and I'm confident that we have the talent and desire to do that this season.

The team's biggest asset might be in net, where team co-captain Michelle Anderson will hold down fort for the second consecutive season. Anderson was nothing short of spectacular last season, boasting a goals against average of just 1.22 and finishing third in the conference with an .862 save percentage.

On the back-line, scrappy Sarah Novak will patrol left back with Catherine Lukan expected to see the bulk of the minutes at right back. Stacey Wilson, Kelsey Abstreiter and Dana Renneberg will anchor the defence at the centre back position. Also in the mix is Keisha Riddell, a first-year Regina product who has impressed in practice so far.

Maltman has the services of a talented midfield, led by co-captain Randi Schmeichel. Schmeichel, who started 13 of the team's 14 games last season, will see time at the center mid position, along with Chelsie Dorosh and first-year players Jessica Meyer and Meagan Cormier. Tegan Koroluk, who led the Cougars with two goals last season, has continued to progress offensively and should start at right outside midfield. At left outside midfield, versatile veteran Nicole Renneberg will see plenty of field time in her final season of CIS eligibility. Hailing from Pitt Meadows, B.C., rookie Maddie Sonea has impressed with her change of pace and will see time at one of the outside midfield positions.

Tiffany Gyurek, who started 11 games last year, will make the move from midfield to forward this season. She will be joined up front by fifth-year veteran Natalia Hernandez-Solano, Kimbi Wiebe and rookie Adrianna Bonutti. Maltman is still unsure about the injury status of Nakia Forsberg, who scored five goals during the 2007 season, but missed the majority of last season due to knee problems.

Saskatchewan Huskies
2008 conference record: 5-8-1 (7th, missed playoffs)
Last CW title: none
Last CIS title: none

SASKATOON - The Saskatchewan Huskie enter 2009 after a program-best year in 2008.

Another year older and experienced, the Huskies look to grow on the 5-8-1 record sported in 2008. The five wins tied a best in the program's history and the eight losses marked the least in three seasons. The Huskies narrowly missed the playoffs in 2008, finishing just three points out of the sixth spot. They also had team triumphs, defeating Calgary and UBC for the first time in history.

"We want to continue to strive for improvement in all aspects of our game," said third-year head coach Tom LaPointe. "We will be looking to substantially decrease the number of goals against and add to our offensive total from last year. With a great selection of recruits from Calgary, Winnipeg, Yellowknife and across Saskatchewan we feel we are well positioned to take our play to a higher level."

Returning to the team is third-year striker Elizabeth Hudon. For the second season in a row Hudon led her team in points and shots scoring nine goals and one assist on 52 shots. She was named the team's first Canada West all-star since 2003, when she was given second team status. The Huskies also return offensive power from Kristy Husulak (one goal, four assists); Jamie LeMay (three goals, two assists) and Megan Rowan (three goals, three assists).

Among those joining the Huskies for 2009 are Saskatoon's Daniella Fuenzalida, Brooklyn Leier, Lindsay Manz, Leanne Mylynok; Winnipeg's Marissa Wilford and Calgary's Andrea Guebert. Midfielder Mylynok and defender Leier were both starters with Saskatchewan's women's soccer team at the 2009 Canada Summer Games, while Wilford was the starting keeper for Team Manitoba at the Games. Fuenzalida joins with the most notable experience under her belt. The midfielder represented her native country, Chile, at the U-20 World Cup in November 2008. Wilford, as well as fellow rookie Alicia Middlebrook will mind the net for the Huskies in 2009.

Trinity Western Spartans
2008-09 conference record: 9-2-1 (2nd)
2008-09 CW championship: 1-1 (2nd)
2008-09 CIS championship: 3-0 (1st)
Last CW title: 2006
Last CIS title: 2008

LANGLEY, B.C. - Since joining CIS in 2002 the Trinity Western Spartans have rapidly become one of the premier programs in the CIS. They have won two national championships, in 2008 and 2004, and two Canada West championships, in 2006 and 2004, and have been in the national championship three of the last five years, where they have accumulated a solid 7-1-1 record.

From the makeup of this year's team it looks like this trend will continue as they appear to have all the pieces falling into place to have a shot at playing again in November and defending their CIS title.

The Spartans are a young group, with the average years of CIS experience is just over two years, and may have arrived early last year when they won the CIS championship, but TWU head coach Graham Roxburgh is working on keeping his team looking forward and not back at past glory.

"We are doing everything that we can so that we don't have a 'hang-over' from last year. We are trying to create a culture that says you have to come to play every day and you have to fight to compete. You have to have a healthy respect for your opponent and you can't take anybody for granted."

Despite Roxburgh's focus on the present it is difficult not to think that the Spartans have a legitimate shot at getting back to the CIS championship. TWU returns nearly a complete lineup from last year's squad and the spots that needed replacing have been filled with top level recruits.

Leading the group of returnees is Canada West goal-scoring (12 goals) and point leader (18 points), forward Nikki Wright (Cloverdale, B.C.), who won several awards last season, including Canada West Player of the Year, CIS Rookie of the Year and Sport B.C. University Athlete of the Year. The second-year forward only got better in the off-season, playing with Canada's FISU team and the Vancouver Whitecaps senior team. Up front with Wright is CIS tournament MVP Daniela Gerig (Langley, B.C.), who finished second in CW in goal-scoring last season, with nine. In the middle the Spartans are strong, with returning depth and experience, which will be anchored by FISU teammates and CW all-star Rebecca Ferguson (Calgary) and Melissa Mobilio (Coquitlam, B.C.) and on the defensive end the Spartans will be strong with FISU defender and CW all-star Jillian Dietrich (Calgary) on the back-line and FISU keeper Kristen Funk (Calgary), who finished third in CW with a goals against average of 0.90.

Leading the class of newcomers are B.C. Canada Games teammates midfielder Natalie Boyd (Surrey, B.C.) and forward Alicia Tesan (Vancouver). The pair along with second-year midfielder Tessa Meyer (Surrey), helped lead B.C. to a gold medal at this year's games in P.E.I. Also joining the team are Colleen Webber (Calgary) and Kristen Santema (Coquitlam), two defenders who will strengthen the team and become very important to the teams core.

The questions for the Spartans are: will the youthful group be able to gel as a team in time to make the post season and will they be able to handle the pressure of having everyone in CW gunning for you every time you step onto the pitch. Only time can answer the question and determine if youth will be served or not.

Victoria Vikes
2008 conference record: 10-3-1 (1st)
2008 CW tournament: 2-0 (1st)
2008 CIS tournament: 1-2 (4th)
Last CW title: 2008
Last CIS title: 2005

VICTORIA - In the 2008 CIS championship semifinal the Victoria Vikes pounded through 15 rounds of penalty kicks before Trinity Western squeaked past them for a berth into the national final.

Just a week before the heartbreaking loss, the Vikes edged out the Spartans in penalties to capture their first Canada West title since 2000 in front of their home crowd at Centennial Stadium.

In both playoff matches, neither side was able to score in over 240 minutes of play further fueling the age-old rivalry between the two teams. With several players from both squads returning to compete in 2009, this year's division is set to be one of the most competitive in recent history.

Leading this year's CWUAA title defence is a core of experienced UVic players ready to take the squad to their fifth consecutive CIS championship tournament.

"I think we have a really good core," 2008 Canada West coach of the year Tracy David said of her new roster. "We're certainly going to be lead by Kendra Flock and Jackie Snell who are our two fifth-year players. There are also players like Holly Fiddick ad Shayla Behrens and I expect them to lead our team."

Flock recently co-captained the Canadian soccer team at the FISU Universiade in Belgrade, Serbia, where she netted three goals against some of the world's top players.

"Anytime you have a player of that calibre that has experience where she's played against the best players, that's a good thing and she can certainly add and contribute to our team in that way," David said of the senior forward.

While a veteran core may be vital to this year's campaign, so is having a young goalkeeper with national experience. When Kasia Gwiazda was sidelined with a serious injury at the start of last season, rookie 'keeper Stephanie Parker stepped up to the plate and took over in net.

The Canada West all-star and UVic Robert T. Wallace Rookie of the Year started 14 matches posting a 10-3-1 division record securing a first place finish atop the conference table. With the experience of high-pressure shootouts and postseason games now under her belt, the squad will once again require another impressive season by the Chemainus, BC native.

"Our goal is to make it to the national championship," said David, adding, "You never know when you're going to make it back there so you better win it. The past four years we've been there which I think is pretty good."