The University of the Fraser Valley men's soccer team won two of three games on a preseason swing through the northwest United States.
The Cascades opened the jaunt with a 2-1 triumph over the Evergreen State College Mariners in Olympia, Wash. last Saturday. James Najman and Dalibor Plavsic scored the UFV goals, while the Mariners' lone tally came with five minutes to play.
"We rested some of our senior players to have a look at the rookies and they came through with flying colors,” UFV head coach Alan Errington said.
On Sunday, the Cascades edged the Willamette University Bearcats 1-0 in Salem, Ore. Connor MacMillan's volley off a feed from Connor O'Neill stood up as the game-winner, while keeper Mark Village notched the shutout.
Errington termed it "a professional performance" by his team.
"I think the score flattered the opposition with all due respect," he said. "Solid performances from all players, but the back four have to be singled out for their flawless performance."
UFV wrapped up the trip with a 2-0 loss to the Concordia University Cavaliers in Portland, Ore. on Monday. The Cascades generated several great scoring chances, only to be denied on each occasion by Cavaliers goalie Scott Gross.
“I am very pleased with the effort and the standard of play so far, and also the fitness and attitude of the group," Errington said.
HOME GAMES THIS WEEK
With their Canada West regular season openers just over a week away, the UFV soccer teams are wrapping up their exhibition schedule with a series of games at Chilliwack's Townsend Park this week.
Both teams hosted the Western Washington University Vikings on Tuesday, with the men winning 1-0 and the women suffering a 2-0 loss. Ryan Liddiard notched the lone goal of the game for the UFV men, while Village picked up player of the match honours after recording seven saves.
The Cascades women take on the UBC-Okanagan Heat at 7 p.m. on Friday, and the UFV teams welcome the Peninsula College Pirates of Port Angeles, Wash. for a Sunday doubleheader. The women play at 9:30 a.m., followed by the men at 11:15 a.m.
Admission to all UFV soccer games (both preseason and regular season) is free. The Cascades open the Canada West campaign on Sept. 6, with the women taking on the University of Northern B.C. and the men facing Trinity Western.