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By Earl Seitz

WolfPack men's soccer

WolfPack men’s soccer look to live up to pre-season expectations

Aug 29, 2019 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS —- Following an ambitious pre-season schedule, the men’s soccer team from TRU kicks into an even higher gear this weekend with the start of the Canada West league season.

Under the guidance of head of head coach John Antulov the WolfPack men’s soccere team has had some impressive results the last two seasons.

The six year old program has outshone many of the larger universities with more established soccer programs, winning a U SPORTS bronze medal two years ago, when TRU hosted the national championship, and back to back Canada West bronze medals in 2017 and 2018.

Going into the this season the WolfPack are ranked 4th in the Canada West coaches poll, and 9th out of 48 teams nationwide in the U SPORTS pre-season rankings.

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“I think they’re probably basing it off the last couple of seasons.” says WolfPack coach John Antulov. “Plus I think some of the returning players that we have were some of the key guys over the last couple of years. Obviously we lost some huge pieces from last year. But with Josh (Banton), Jan (Pirretas Glasmacher), James Fraser, Justin Donaldson — those are some real key components coming back. I don’t put a whole lot of stock into those numbers. It’s great for the program, great for the university, but at the end of the day you have to be able to back it up.”

The WolfPack backed it up in their pre-season —- going undefeated, including two big wins and a draw over some big time competition in three games in California.

“I think we’re about a month ahead of where we were last year.” says Antulov. “We’ve had eight exhibition games as opposed to none last year. Having the whole group here, for pretty much the whole month has been pretty significant for us, having so many new players coming in. Getting them adjusted to me, the program, each other — I think was huge.

“The California trip was great for us.” says midfielder Justin Donaldson. “Having 12 or 13 new guys coming in, it’s a great bonding experience. Getting everybody into playing time —- communicating with each other, play a little more, it’s really beneficial for us.”

Word about the program is getting around. Head coach Antulov has brought in players from Europe, NCAA Division two and college transfers from PACWEST.

Most of those players reached out to Antulov about playing here.

There’s nothing like an acid test right off the get go, with the WolfPack opening the season against the UBC Thunderbirds. UBC was ranked first in the Canada West coaches poll, and fifth in the U SPORTS pre-season rankings.

The teams split last season, with the WolfPack losing 2-0 at UBC, and then posting a 1-0 win over the Thunderbirds at Hillside.

“I expect quite a battle with them.” says Donaldson. “Every year they’re a very competitive team. We’re always going back and forth. When they come here it’s always a hard place to play. And the same when we go there. The rivalry is there.”

“UBC is always one of the top three programs in Canada every year.” says Antulov. “They re-load every year. For us it’s just play them tight, be smart, don’t take any unecessary chances.”