WOLFPACK MENS SOCCER DOWNS WESTSIDE RINO IN ‘FRIENDLY’ August 28, 2010
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The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s soccer team has evened it 2010 pre-season record. The WolfPack went into Vancouver and beat the Westside Rino of the Premier Division 2-1 on Friday night (Aug 27).
”This was a good test for us,” said TRU coach Sean Wallace. ” They were a skilled team which gave us a good battle.”
The WolfPack opened the scoring in the 15th minute. A combination play involving defender Adam Dodgson (Kamloops, BC), midfielder Peter Loncar (Kamloops, BC) and rookie Justin Wallace (Kamloops, BC) resulted in Darcy Geldart (Kamloops, BC) getting the goal. Geldart was a red shirt last year.
Darcy Geldart
After the Rino tied the game before the end of the first half, the WolfPack got the winner in the second half. Wallace got the ball in the top of the 18 yard box and went low right hand corner for the winner.
“The coaching staff is very pleased with the progression we are seeing from the players,” says Coach Wallace. ” It will be very difficult to make cuts this year: more difficult than in years past.”
Coach Wallace walking back after demonstrating in practice
The WolfPack have two more exhibition matches next week: including one against CIS University of the Fraser Valley.
They open their 2010 BC College Athletic Association season September 11 th in North Vancouver, BC against the Capilano University College Blues. The WolfPack’s home opener is September 18 th at Hillside Stadium against Vancouver Island University.
WOLFPACK MENS SOCCER OPEN EXHIBITION SEASON WITH A LOSS August 27, 2010
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Peter Loncar had the only goal for TRU (A. Snucins photo)
Chalk it up to first match jitters. That’s how Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s soccer co-head coach Sean Wallace described his team’s first exhibition performance of 2010. The visiting WolfPack were dropped 3-1 at the hands of the host University of British Columbia Thunderbirds in Vancouver on Thursday (Aug 26).
“ We made a lot of mental mistakes and were nervous,” said Wallace about his teams performance against the CIS squad. The WolfPack were down 1-0 two minutes into the match and trailed by that score at the half.
Coaches John Antulov and Sean Wallace
In the second half, a defensive breakdown led to TRU’s Adam Dodgson (defender, Kamloops, BC) giving up a handball in the 18 yard box. That resulted in UBC’s second goal.
After the Thunderbirds upped the count 3-1 in the 79 th minute off a set play, TRU got on the board. After a scramble, Peter Loncar (forward, Kamloops, BC) made the twine bulge in the 86 th minute.
“We battled hard, “said Wallace. “ But you could tell it was our first match.”
Sean Wallace takes roll call at practice
The WolfPack play their second exhibition match today against Westside Rino of theVancouver Premier League. TRU opens up their 2010 BC College Athletic Association regular season September 11 th in North Vancouver against Capilano University College. Their first home match is September 18 th at 1 pm against Vancouver Island University
WOLFPACK MSOC TO COAST FOR PAIR OF PRESEASON FRIENDLIES August 26, 2010
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Coach Wallace explains drill to Peter Loncar
The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s soccer team sees its real match action of 2010 as they head to the coast for a pair of exhibitions tonight and tomorrow (Aug 26-27). The BC College Athletic Association squad will take on the T-Birds at UBC tonight before meeting Westside Rino of the Vancouver Premier League tomorrow in Vancouver.
” These are two very big tests for us,” says WolfPack co-head coach John Antulov. “UBC is the 11 time National (CIS) Champions and Westside Rino have won numerous provincial and national championships at the senior level.”
Antulov adds that the Rino have a number of former professional players on their roster. “We will see what we need to improve on and where we need to go after these two pre-season matches.”
The WolfPack have had 27 players in their open tryouts/ training camp, but had planned to whittle it down to 20 before the exhibition series. “Right now, we are working on defensive shape and tactics for these matches,” says Antulov. “We have some returnees and new players who have to get back into sync on how Sean (Wallace: WolfPack co-head coach) and I want them to play.”
Coach John Antulov and Brynden Swint
Antulov is hoping that his club is ready to get into ‘game shape’ in a hurry. He is anxious to see where the team’s trouble areas are. “This is also a good test to put some of the younger guys into different positions to see how they react.”
The WolfPack open up their 2010 BCCAA Season September 11 th in North Vancouver against Capilano University College Blues. Their first home match is Saturday September 18 th when they entertain the Vancouver Island University Mariners at Hillside Stadium. Kick off is 1 pm.
MSOC IMPRESSED BY NUMBERS, TALENT AFTER OPENING WEEKEND OF CAMP August 15, 2010
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Veteran Tim Unaegbu with coach Sean Wallace
Coach Sean Wallace had a smile on his face for most of the opening weekend of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s soccer 2010 training camp. The veteran coach had over 30 players vying for a position with the BC College Athletic Association club. After three days of fitness, drills and scrimmages, he cut his numbers to 28.
“I think we were impressed,” he said. “The one message we got out after our spring camp was to have the guys come into shape. Those that are left are definitely there. That helps up in our preparation.”
Wallace says over the next week, he will whittle his numbers down so they can prepare for exhibition matches beginning August 25 th.
Two players who did arrive in camp in great shape are veterans Erkut Sonmez (Istanbul, Turkey) and Peter Loncar (Kamloops, BC). Sonmez dropped 20 pounds and Loncar added some muscle to make him a force to take off the ball. “ I think at the end of last year, we noticed that our veterans were dropping off in their fitness,” Wallace stated . “ To see some of these guys in a lot better shape shows that they respect the coaching staff and the program. They want to have a good season.”
The WolfPack have 19 players (including red shirts) from last season in training. Wallace says he has been impressed with some of the newcomers. “ For the most part, there has been some quality players. It is tough for players from the outlying regions and the international students. They are unable to play at the highest level (U-21 and PCSL Kamloops Excel). Still, they have come in and gave it their all. We will have to make some tough decisions.”
Veterans Matt Loader (Kamloops,BC) and Seb Gardner (Vernon, BC) aren’t in the line-up. Gardner has a shoulder injury which will likely keep him sidelined this season. Loader decided to hang up the cleats to concentrate on school. Brynden Swint (Kamloops, BC) and Casey Cullen (Kamloops, BC) were out on the weekend. But neither has been given the medical clearance to play as of yet. The two had off-season surgery.
Allan Connor
The WolfPack have a pleasant dilemma in the nets. 2008 BC CAA All-star keeper Allan Connor (Salmon Arm, BC) has returned. He’ll battle for a spot with Ethan May (Kamloops, BC) and Firat Orenc (Ankara, Turkey). Both of whom were with the WolfPack last season.
Firat Orenic warms up
“In 2007, Alan was our only keeper,” said Wallace. “Last year, Ethan was to be our only goalie with Al moving to SFU. Now, to have three quality keepers in camp is a bonus. Whether we red-shirt one and keep him for practice has yet to be determined.”
The WolfPack open their 2010 BC College Athletic Association regular season September 11 th at Capilano University College. Their first home match is September 18 th against Vancouver Island University Mariners. That match start time is 1 pm at Hillside Stadium.
MENS SOCCER TRAINING CAMP DAY 3 August 15, 2010
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Photos from the TRU WolfPack men’s soccer team’s third training day on August 15, 2010
Alan Connor and players look down
Erkut Sonmez and Firat Orenc
Tim Unaegbu, Kyle Halvorson and coach Sean Wallace
