It was a successful senior weekend for WolfPack Soccer. The men’s team split the weekend with one 3-1 victory over the UBCO Heat and a 2-1 loss to TWU. The Women’s team was victorious in both of their games, their program’s best finish and secured a home playoff game.
On Friday night, the women’s team faced off against the Heat first and opened the scoring just ten minutes into play. The ‘Pack forced a turnover in their end, and Allison Hill took the ball on a 30-yard run down the field before she sent Joss Olcen a pass, who sent it to the back of the net from the top of the 18-yard box.
They controlled the rest of the half and went into the break up by one.
At the 62-minute mark, Macyn Jolly forced another turnover that would result in Hill goal from 25 yards out and put TRU up by two. However, the Heat responded with two quick goals of their own to tie up the game.
Rookie Miyuki Leopkey sent a ball to Sophie Branby, who regained the ‘Packs’ lead by sending the ball past UBCO’s goalkeeper. Just a few minutes later, Branby got her second of the night when she headed the ball into the net. With the score being 4-2 when the clock hit the time, the WolfPack secured their seventh win of the season.
The Men’s team took the field after looking for a win to secure their playoff spot. In the 18th, minute, James Rainbird played a ball to Alesandro Comita, who was seeing his first action of play since missing games due to injury, and sent a rocket from the edge of the 18-yard box to open the scoring.
Just three minutes later, Aiden Muzio played a perfect pass to Noel Poole, who was able to slip the ball in past UBCO’s goalie. Only two minutes later, the Heat would score their only goal of the game.
In the second half, Rainbird added another assist to his night when he set up Liam Freathy to head in the insurance goal. The Pack held on to the rest of the game and secured their 3-1 win and their ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2023.
On Saturday, with both teams having their postseason secured, the women were fighting to secure home turf, while both teams were also celebrating their graduating seniors.
Once again, the women took the field first, this time facing off against TWU, who was tied for second place and was also fighting for a home playoff game. The ‘Pack struck first in the scoring at the 15-minute mark when Esi Lufo sent Makenna Ford a give and to put the ball along the top portion of the net. Just two minutes later, Lufo sent Ford the ball in the box to put TRU ahead 2-0, only 20 minutes into the game.
TWU fought to get back into the game but only scored one late in the half to send the teams into halftime 2-1.
Senior Berea Woldeyes netted an insurance goal just five minutes into the second half. The Spartans would score one more in the 62nd minute of the game but wouldn’t be able to catch up to the WolfPack. Leaving the team to host a playoff game in just their second time in the program’s history.
The WolfPack will either be facing off against the MacEwan Griffins or the Saskatchewan Huskies depending on league results.
“It means everything, our fans – even in the rain here – they’re an extra player for us, so we hope we can pack the stands for next week and they can give us all of their energy” Head Coach Mark Pennington said in a WolfPack press release about hosting a playoff game.
Before the game, the WolfPack celebrated graduating student-athletes: Bridget Baird, Bella Geremia, Macyn Jolly, Makayla Kusch, Esi Lufo, Alexis Virgo and Berea Woldeyes.
Next up, the men’s team faced off against TWU with their postseason already secured. The first half remained scoreless with both teams playing strong defensively. The Spartans got two quick goals in the second half. Muzio scored the lone goal for the WolfPack, and they settled for a 2-1 defeat.
After the game, WolfPack celebrated the careers of graduating student-athletes and Kamloops products, Alesandro and Domenico Comita.
“Calgary is a really good squad, they’ve done really well on the other side so we are going to have to play our best to match them.” Men’s head coach John Antulov said on the team’s playoff matchup.
The Mens team will travel to Calgary next weekend to face off against the Dinos, with a Kickoff team still waiting to be determined.
The Women’s team will play at Hillside Stadium with kickoff at 12 pm, and their opponent still to be determined.