Winning feeling. (Image Credit: Electric Umbrella/Liam Richards)
Canada West

WolfPack to host T-Birds in matchup between Pacific Divison’s top teams

Oct 7, 2026 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Victories over the UBC Thunderbirds do not come easy in U Sports men’s soccer.  


“It’s the same as always,” said John Antulov, head coach of the TRU WolfPack men’s soccer team. “UBC is the top team in the country, so we know it’s going to be a battle. We always seem – no matter what team we have – to be able to rise to that occasion and at least give them a good battle.” 

The WolfPack and T-Birds will square off on Friday (Oct. 9) at Hillside Stadium, with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. 

TRU, with six wins and three losses, is second in the men’s soccer Canada West Pacific Division and chasing the undefeated T-Birds (9-0-2). 

“It’s just another game and they’re another team,” said Aiden Muzio, the WolfPack rookie midfielder from Kamloops. “With coach John, he believes we can beat anyone and so do we. So, just another game and, hopefully, we can win it.” 

The WolfPack have a record of 5-15-5 against the T-Birds since the Kamloops university joined U Sports in 2014. 

One of those victories happened to come in the national final in 2022. 

“We can look at our past a little bit, but at the end of the day, it’s about the guys here right now and what they’re able to do on that given day,” Antulov said. 

Alesandro Comita – who scored in that gold-medal tilt four years ago – returned from injury last weekend and buried a penalty in a 1-0 victory over Lethbridge. 

Standout midfielder Lucas Kirnon has been on international duty with Montserrat, but may return to Kamloops in time to play this weekend. 

Defender Lewis Crompton and forward Kaleb Voth remain sidelined with injuries. 

“Despite all of the injuries and players that are gone, we’ve been doing really good, which is great, and we want to keep on going every weekend,” WolfPack midfielder Amir Ghasemi said. 

The WolfPack are also hosting the T-Birds in women’s Canada West soccer action on Friday, with game time slated for 5:00 p.m. at Hillside Stadium. 

CFJC Today will have a match preview on Thursday. 

TRU is hosting Puppies and Pints night on Friday. Dogs are welcome and will race at halftime of both matches. 

The WolfPack will host the UNBC Timberwolves of Prince George in men’s and women’s play on Saturday at Hillside Stadium.