UNBC soccer squads ready for for weekend doubleheaders

It's going to be a weekend for the UNBC Timberwolves soccer teams to solidify themselves in the 2019-20 Canada West season.

The men are on the road for games at Alberta on Saturday (Sept. 21) followed by a matchup against MacEwan on Sunday (Sept. 22) and are coming off a massive win against Mount Royal (MRU).

The women meanwhile, are at home against Lethbridge tomorrow (Sept. 20) and then host the MRU Cougars Sunday afternoon.

UNBC vs. Alberta Golden Bears:

UNBC TIMBERWOLVES (MEN)

Record: 3-3-1
Fifth in Pacific Division Standings
Goals for: 10
Goals against: 10
Goals leader: Stu Rowlands (3)
Assists leader: Owen Stewart (3)
Points leader: Owen Stewart (4)
Saves leader: Rob Goodey (28)

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS (MEN)

Record: 1-4-1
Fifth in Prairie Division Standings
Goals for: 3
Goals against: 9
Goals leader: David Chung, Lahai Mansaray, Syed Shah (1)
Assists leader: Lahai Mansaray, Harkirat Malhi, Matthew Miki (1)
Points leader: Lahai Mansaray (2)
Saves leader: Chris Ezoua (12)

“Our mindset going into the Alberta game should be the same as it has been all year; go out and try to put a great performance on the field," UNBC's Jonah Smith says in a statement. "We understand that the result is ultimately out of our control. The results against Victoria and MRU show the strength of the team's collective mindset, and our ability to thrive in adversity.”

UNBC vs. MacEwan:

MACEWAN GRIFFINS (MEN)

Record: 1-3-2
Fourth in Prairie Division Standings
Goals for: 8
Goals against: 10
Goals leader: Michael Enes, Stefan Gajic, Everett Orgnero (2)
Assists leader: Rakan Yassin (2)
Points leader: Stefan Gajic, Everett Orgnero (3)
Saves leader: Seth Johnstone (25)

“MacEwan is a good team and we are expecting a strong performance from them," Smith adds. "They are always well organized and have some really good athletes. We have to prepare well and ensure we take care of the details.”

PREVIEW: @UNBCMSoccer hits the road, visiting the @BearsandPandas & @MacEwanGriffins this weekend! Check out a full preview, with Stats, Players to Watch, Milestones & hear from @unbc veteran Jonah Smith! https://t.co/RI8vJAA3Of pic.twitter.com/QT5OoDL3tC
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) September 18, 2019

UNBC vs. Lethbridge:

UNBC TIMBERWOLVES (WOMEN)

Record: 2-1-1
Fifth in Pacific Division Standings
Goals for: 6
Goals against: 4
Goals leader: Sofia Jones, Paige Payne (2)
Assists leader: Julia Babicz (2)
Points leader: Sofia Jones, Paige Payne (3)
Saves leader: Madi Doyle (8)

LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS (WOMEN)

Record: 0-2-2
Sixth in Prairie Division Standings
Goals for: 3
Goals against: 8
Goals leader: Tory Clements, Jesse Dueck, Raeleen Vanden Dungen (1)
Assists leader: Emina Arima, Jesse Dueck, Kaleigh Harris (1)
Points leader: Jesse Dueck (2)
Saves leader: Hanna Quinn, Chelsey Galbraith (17)

“We have done our research on Lethbridge, and we are looking to earn those three points at Masich Place," UNBC's Julia Babicz says. "Our team is a resilient group with enough diversity on the pitch to take the win this weekend. The first goal of this game will be to assert ourselves. We want them playing catch-up, especially on the road.”

MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS

Record: 0-4-0
Seventh in Prairie Division Standings
Goals for: 0
Goals against: 8
Goals leader; N/A
Assists leader: N/A
Points leader: N/A
Saves leader: Katrina Greenley (32)

“Any team is capable of coming back in the Canada West," Babicz adds. "Going into any game, your mentality has to be levelled. We expect each of our opponents to have the best game of their life. If we prepare that way, personally and as a squad, we will be ready. The last time we played Mount Royal was two years ago. A lot can change in two years.”

PREVIEW: @UNBCWSoccer has a big @CanadaWest home weekend, welcoming the @UofLPronghorns & @MRUCougars to Masich Place! Read a full lookahead, with stats, milestones, players to watch, and hear from @UNBC fifth-year @juliababicz! https://t.co/tU8waH4kpn pic.twitter.com/Q8MOtOd8iF
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) September 19, 2019