After being force-fed a couple of one-goal losses on the road last weekend, the UNBC Timberwolves are counting on home cooking being quite a bit more pleasing to the palate in their next two games.
But they better keep the Pepto-Bismol handy.
They'll have to stomach taking on the UBC Thunderbirds (tonight, 6) and the Victoria Vikes (Sunday, noon) - two of the spiciest women's soccer squads in Canada West.
The T-birds (5-2-0) are second in the Pacific Division standings, having won their past two games, while fourth-place Victoria (4-3-0) is on a three-game winning streak. Both games are at Masich Place Stadium.
The T-wolves (1-3-2) took on the first-place Trinity Western University Spartans last Saturday in Abbotsford and pushed the defending Canada West champs and national bronze medalists to the limit, losing by a 4-3 count. UNBC started that weekend with a 2-1 loss in Kamloops to the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack.
Through six games, the T-wolves have 12 goals, three more than their entire 14-game output from last season. Paige Payne leads the team with four goals.
"We've really been sticking to a process, for three years now," said UNBC defender Mara McCleary. "Things are starting to really come together for us this year, so that is producing lots of goals. Plus, we are getting a lot of success in other parts of the field."
Danielle Steer, a second-year forward, has six of UBC's 15 goals this season and leads the team in points with 11. The T-birds are No. 8 in the U Sports national rankings.
"UBC is a great all-around team, and they really, really challenge us when we go to play them," said McCleary. "I think we will be looking to set a competitive standard from the get-go.
"Playing UVic, there are a lot of people I have grown up playing with," added McCleary. "Playing them on turf instead of their home grass will be different for them and hopefully an advantage for us."
