Image Credit: TRU WolfPack Athletics/Allen Douglas

By Adam Donnelly

TRU MEN'S SOCCER

WolfPack set to travel to Calgary for CanadaWest Quarterfinals versus MRU on Saturday

Oct 28, 2021 | 4:23 PM

KAMLOOPS — As the lone fifth-year player on the TRU WolfPack Men’s Soccer team roster, James Fraser knows what’s on the line heading into his squad’s CanadaWest quarterfinal match with the Mount Royal Cougars on Saturday (Oct. 30).

“We’ve made playoffs the last four years, but we haven’t quite been able to go the full mile and qualify for Nationals on our own,” Fraser tells CFJC Today. “I think that’s something we’re all looking forward to this year and I think we’ve got the players and right energy going into [playoffs] to be successful.”

Back in 2017, Fraser sealed one of the biggest wins in program history. At the USPORTS National Championships at Hillside Stadium, he buried the winning penalty kick against UBC to secure a Bronze medal for the ‘Pack.

“It was a great feeling,” Fraser said after that game. “I actually didn’t know we won when I scored. Then the boys started celebrating. It was awesome.”

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Fraser sees some similarities between that 2017 team and the current WolfPack roster.

“I think it’s the same kind of feeling, championship feeling heading into it,” Fraser says. “I think we all back ourselves and believe in ourselves, and it’s definitely one of our strongest teams we’ve had to date, for sure.”

Heading into the weekend, WolfPack Head Coach John Antulov says he’s confident in his team’s preparation ahead of playoffs. There’s also some familiarity with their opponent.

“We played them in pre-season so we know them quite well,” Antulov says. “We played them in the quarterfinals two years ago, it’s pretty much their same team. I think we know what to expect. They’re a good squad, they’ve got a couple of guys who can really put the ball in the net.”

The ‘Pack finished the year with four wins, three losses and five draws. With goals at a premium this season, Antulov says the keys to victory are simple.

“Start scoring some goals. I mean, we’re creating some opportunities, which is really, really good. If we weren’t, I’d be a little concerned,” Antulov says. “These types of games, they’re going to be 1-0, 2-1 — it’s going to be pretty tight.”

For Fraser, this could be his last kick at the can as a student-athlete. However, he’ll be doing everything in his power to extend the season and keep the dream of another appearance at Nationals alive.

“This season, I’ve had my nostalgia moments. I think sometimes it can hurt your performance,” Fraser says. “All that stuff has worn off by now. I’m just motivated and I think the team is, as well. We’re focused going into this weekend, and yeah, looking to dominate.”