MSOC: Thunderbirds top preseason poll
Two-time defending CW champions tabbed as favourites ahead of Friday's season opener
EDMONTON – The UBC Thunderbirds are the favourites to repeat as Canada West men's soccer champions, as the annual coaches poll was unveiled Wednesday ahead of this week's season openers.
UBC enters the 2019 season as the unanimous pick among their competitors to top the conference, securing 12 first-place votes from conference head coaches. UBC's first-place vote went to the Trinity Western Spartans (124 points), who slotted in third in the poll behind the Alberta Golden Bears (126 points).
Head coach Mike Mosher's Thunderbirds are taking aim at a third consecutive CW banner – a feat which hasn't been accomplished since TWU won a trio of titles between 2005 and 2007.
The new season opens this Friday with five games, all of which can be seen live on Canada West TV. For a complete look at the 2019 CW MSOC schedule, click here.
To get you set for the 2019 season, a complete team-by-team preview can be found here.
MEN'S SOCCER ON CANADA WEST TV
Every men's soccer game will be available live and on demand this season on Canada West TV – the official streaming home of the conference. Passes are now on sale, with early-bird pricing in effect until the end of August.
2019 CW MSOC PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Team - Points (First-place votes)
- UBC Thunderbirds - 144 (12)
- Alberta Golden Bears - 126
- Trinity Western Spartans - 124 (1)
- Thompson Rivers WolfPack - 100
- Saskatchewan Huskies - 96
- Calgary Dinos - 80
- Fraser Valley Cascades - 77
- Victoria Vikes - 64
- Mount Royal Cougars - 57
- UNBC Timberwolves - 56
- UBCO Heat - 43
- MacEwan Griffins - 32
- Lethbridge Pronghorns - 15
NOTE: Coaches ranked all opponents 1-12. First-place votes worth 12 pts., second-place worth 11 pts. etc.