MSOC: UBC dubbed favourites in coaches' poll
Your full 2022 team-by-team season preview
CALGARY - With the action-packed Canada West men’s soccer season set to kick off Friday, coaches from across the conference have hedged their bets on this year’s winner.
The four-time reigning champs, UBC Thunderbirds, came out atop the coaches’ poll as the favourites again in 2022. After going 4-2-6 in the regular season last year, the T-Birds knocked off Mount Royal and Victoria in the final four to collect their fourth straight conference title.
The Mount Royal Cougars are hungry to avenge that semifinal loss after finishing last season with the conference’s top win percentage. They finished second in the coaches’ poll and will be looking for their first-ever Canada West banner.
Rounding out the top three is the Alberta Golden Bears, who will rely on the defensive prowess of the league’s leading goaltender from 2021 and some new recruits to guide them back to golden status for the first time since 2016.
The road to the championship begins Friday, with Trinity Western at UNBC and Victoria at UBC Okanagan at 6 p.m. PDT. UBC will begin its title defence on the road at 7 p.m., when they square off against Thompson Rivers. A full slate of games will follow on Saturday and Sunday. For the complete schedule, click 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. To purchase your pass, click here.
2022 CW MSOC PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Team - Points (First-place votes)
- UBC Thunderbirds – 143 (11)
- Mount Royal Cougars – 127 (1)
- Alberta Golden Bears – 105
- Trinity Western Spartans – 103
- Thompson Rivers WolfPack– 101
- Calgary Dinos – 92
- Victoria Vikes – 73 (1)
- Saskatchewan Huskies – 71
- Fraser Valley Cascades – 64
- Northern British Columbia Timberwolves – 54
- UBCO Heat – 36
- MacEwan Griffins – 33
- Lethbridge Pronghorns – 12
Click here for your full team-by-team preview.