Corey Wallis against Quest (Andrew Snucins photo)
Erasing some bad memories will be foremost on the minds of the coaching staff and returning veterans as the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s soccer team opens its 2012 PACWEST training camp.
The WolfPack had a pretty good season going in 2011,that was until the last three weeks of the season where they dropped four of their last five matches to miss the playoffs.
Travis Froehlich is back to play goal for the WolfPack (Devon Lindsay photo)
But that’s in the past. Preparations for the 2012 campaign begin tomorrow (Friday) at Hillside Stadium with fitness testing. “We always look forward to the start of a new season and starting over with a new crop of players,” says WolfPack co-head coach John Antulov. “ We really want to forget about last year and start fresh.”
Jacob Kaay and Justin Smeaton will wear the WolfPack uniform again this year (photo submitted by Allen Douglas)
The WolfPack are expecting as many as 50 players to battle for a position on this year’s squad. They are expecting about 10 or 11 veterans and ‘red shirts’ from last season to return as well.
Antulov says at this time of year, you have to be optimistic about the team’s chances. “ We know who are our returning players but we always like to see how the new players fit into that mix. There are always one or two players who always surprise us.”
Jacob Kaay is back but Brynden Swint has graduated (photo submitted by Allen Douglas)
The WolfPack will play four exhibition matches: three of them against Canada West competition: UBC, Saskatchewan and Trinity Western.
Lalli Deol in action last year vs Langara (photo submitted by Allen Douglas)
They will open their 2012 PACWEST season against Douglas College September 8 th at Hillside Stadium.
CORNER KICKS: Antulov and co-head coach Sean Wallace enter their fifth season working together. The two worked with a number of the local players and prospects this summer with the Kamloops Heat U-21 program which captured the Pacific Coast Soccer League Reserve Division regular season championship.
WolfPack recruit Nolan Wallace
Among the recruits this year are Austin Schneebeli and Colton Walker of Salmon Arm, BC and Nolan Wallace of Kamloops, BC. All three played for coach Wallace as U-12 player at the BC Summer games in 2006. Nolan is the second of Sean’s three sons. Oldest son Justin is going into his second season playing NCAA soccer at Simon Fraser.
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