WSOC: UBC tops preseason predictions
Your full 2022 team-by-team season preview
CALGARY - Western Canada's best university women's soccer players are set to hit the pitch Friday, the start of a new road to the Canada West Championships. Ahead of the action, coaches from across the conference have weighed in on who they think will hoist the CW trophy. UBC earned the top spot this year, coming off a season where they fell just short to Trinity Western in the 2021 CW Final. The team boasts the top returning scorer and one of the best defences in the league.
The defending champs, Trinity Western Spartans, take the second spot in the poll after posting an undefeated conference record last season. The team has won gold in three of the past four seasons and will be seeking its 10th total Canada West title.
Rounding out the top three are the MacEwan Griffins, a gutsy team that won its first-ever U SPORTS Championship banner last season, after earning bronze in the conference playoffs.
It all gets underway Friday, when the Spartans will begin their title defence at home against Victoria at 7 p.m. PDT. At that same time, fans will get their first glimpses of UBC at Fraser Valley. MacEwan will host crosstown rival Alberta at 6 p.m. MDT, while Regina and Saskatchewan will host Manitoba and Winnipeg, respectively, both at 7 p.m. CST. For the complete schedule, click here.
WOMEN'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 WSOC PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Team - Points (First-place votes)
- UBC Thunderbirds - 218 (10)
- Trinity Western Spartans - 199 (2)
- MacEwan Griffins - 198 (3)
- Calgary Dinos - 177
- Saskatchewan Huskies - 153
- Victoria Vikes - 141
- Alberta Pandas - 131 (1)
- Fraser Valley Cascades - 125
- Manitoba Bisons - 113
- UBCO Heat - 110
- Thompson Rivers WolfPack - 84
- Regina Cougars - 83
- Mount Royal Cougars - 82
- UNBC Timberwolves - 46
- Lethbridge Pronghorns - 42
- Winnipeg Wesmen - 18
Click here for your full team-by-team preview.