TRU WolfPack men’s soccer team hopes for better fortune, aim for post-season return

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Starting midfielders Amir Ghasemi of Coquitlam and Lucas Kirnon of Preston, England, were lost for the season to injury in the first two weeks of the 2025 regular season. 

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The WolfPack recovered too late from an injury-propelled tailspin and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season, finishing with a record of four wins, 11 losses and one tie. 

“A lot of young guys had to really step up last year, first-year players, and really showed their mettle,” WolfPack head coach John Antulov said. “What that did was give them the opportunity they may not have had if everybody was fit. That bodes well for this year because those guys are going to be key contributors, along with those more experienced players.” 

Kirnon is healthy, Ghasemi is likely to return to the lineup in September and Alesandro Comita is WolfPack windfall, the Kamloops midfielder returning to TRU with one more year of eligibility after playing professionally in Europe. 

“We’re ready,” Kirnon said. “Hopefully, we’ll surprise a few people.” 

The Kamloops contingent on the TRU roster includes Alesandro Comita, Domenico Comita (captain last season), Lucas Rinaldi, Ryder Emslie, Will Edwards, Noel Poole, Caleb Kroad and Aiden Muzio. 

“I’m really excited to see what’s going to come and if I’ll get on the field and maybe get an opportunity,” said Edwards, who toils for Kamloops United in the B.C. Premier League. 

Newcomers this year include Ebalo Jesus Amuri, who was recruited four years ago but chose to play abroad. 

“When I came back, all I could think about is John [Antulov],” Amuri said. “When I first came here, he showed me so much love. There is nowhere else I’d rather be. Honestly, I think we can win it all. I came here to win.” 

The WolfPack qualified for the playoffs in six consecutive seasons prior to the 2024 campaign and won the U Sports Championship in 2022. 

TRU’s quest to return to winning ways and the post-season begins with a challenging opponent, the Victoria Vikes, who Antulov said have potential to contend for the national title. 

The Pack will play host to the Vikes on Thursday [Aug. 27], with kickoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Hillside Stadium.

“The last two years have been like a continual rebuild,” Antulov said. “I wasn’t necessarily expecting that, but circumstances happen. There’s a lot more positivity around the group this year. There’s no question. Our goal is always to make playoffs, but it’s the steps to get there that I’m really focusing on this year, keeping the group positive, keeping them focused.”