Image credit: Anthony Corea/CFJC Today

By Marty Hastings

CANADA WEST

Head coach Antulov says WolfPack rebuild ahead of schedule, takes aim at playoffs

Aug 20, 2025 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Head coach John Antulov is confident his TRU WolfPack men’s soccer team is poised to make significant strides in 2025, one year removed from falling short of the post-season in a rebuilding year.

“We’re probably a little bit further than I thought we were going to be,” said Antulov, whose club qualified for the playoffs in six consecutive seasons prior to the 2024 campaign. “The core from last year really took a huge step in the spring … and the guys that we were able to bring in this year are good, solid players.”

TRU and the UNBC Timberwolves posted matching records of two wins, 12 losses and two draws to place tied for last in the Pacific Division in 2024.

“It really sucked,” said fourth-year WolfPack defender Domenico Comita, a Kamloops product. “But through that a lot of the guys that stuck around came back with a bit of a fire in their belly and they’re ready to go.”

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The Canada West regular season kicks off this weekend, with the T-Wolves slated to host the Pack on Friday and Sunday in Prince George.

Elijah Dos Santos, Jonathan Rinaldi and Mikkel Rosenlund have moved on from the WolfPack, key veteran departures that make Comita the lone remaining player from the club’s U Sports Championship-winning roster of 2022.

The 2025 team is composed mostly of first- and second-year players.

“It’s a big change from youth soccer,” said second-year forward Lachlan Will, whose 2024 season was cut short due to injury. “It’s a big adjustment. But a lot of those guys have had a year getting used to that level and adapting to it. And now they’re really ready for it. We’ve had some really good new guys come join, as well.”

Dos Santos captained the WolfPack last year and his absence leaves a leadership void that seems likely to be filled by Comita, the favourite to wear the arm band this season.

“It would be a huge honour,” Comita said. “I was born and raised here. I would be extremely grateful if John gave me that opportunity and I’d love to make the most of it.”

Antulov recruited Ben Finley in time for the 2024 season, but the forward from Preston, England, was hurt prior to the campaign and did not play a game.

Finley is fit and eager to contribute, along with goal-scoring threat Will, the duo aiming to bolster a WolfPack attack that mustered 11 goals in 16 games last season.

Antulov rattled off names of six or seven recruits who have potential to make an impact in their rookie seasons, but Amir Ghasemi appears to be generating the most buzz around WolfPack headquarters.

Ghasemi, a 5-foot-11 midfielder from Coquitlam, contributed to expectation last month, slotting a penalty kick in the 95th minute to give Langley United a 3-2 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps Academy and clinch the League1 BC title.

“Wherever I go, my goal is to bring something to the team,” Ghasemi said, noting he began to form a bond with Antulov at the 2024 Kamloops International Cup. “I know all the boys are thinking the same way. The goal is to go as far as we can.”

Antulov said the plan is to return to the post-season this year.

“We had our one year of transition last year and now, for me, I don’t want to wait three to four years,” Antulov said. “What happens I’m not sure, but we’re definitely going to shoot for that for this year.”