Exhibition matches or games are the time where coaches get to evaluate players and work on aspects of their game. Such was the goal this afternoon (Fri Aug 17) when the defending PACWEST champion Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s soccer team met up with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds of the Canada West.
Laura Smylie and Emily Oliver (photo submitted by Allen Douglas)
The two sides played at Townsend Park in Chilliwack, BC. The Thunderbirds came away with a 3-0 victory.
WolfPack head coach Tom McManus (photo submitted by Allen Douglas)
“The coach of UBC gave us a compliment afterwards,” stated WolfPack head coach Tom McManus. “ He thought we were stronger than we were last year.”
Amanda Barrett and Alanna Bekkering (Devon Lindsay photo)
The two sides played three 30 minute periods. They were scoreless after the first period. UBC led 2-0 after two periods.
Emily Edmundson and Vanessa Zilkie (Devon Lindsay photo)
“The girls played very well considering we have only been training for four days,” McManus added. “ We learned that we have to tighten up defensively. And work on set plays as we prepare for our exhibition tournament next weekend in Edmonton (Aug 24-25 at Grant McEwen University).”
Emily Edmundson makes save vs FX Garneau (Dorothee Harvey photo)
Veteran WolfPack keepers Emily Edmundson (Kamloops, BC) and Jamie Wheeler (Richmond, BC) played in this match. Edmundson was in the nets for the first and third periods. Wheeler did the honors in the second.
Jamie Wheeler
“We needed to see some players today and see if they could get to the level needed<’ said McManus. “We saw thatand that was the reason for the exhibition games.”
Blair MacKay
McManus stated he could have played some of his top players—but elected to sit out veterans Blair MacKay (5th year, Kamloops, BC), Sarah Gomes (2nd year, Prince George, BC) and top rookie Marlie Rittinger (1st year, Ashcroft, BC).
The WolfPack will take the weekend off from training and return to Hillside Stadium on Monday afternoon (Aug 20).
Jaydene Radu (photo contributed by Allen Douglas)
Thompson Rivers opens up the defence of their PACWEST title at home on Saturday September 8 th at Hillside Stadium against Douglas College.
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