VICTORIA – The University of Victoria men’s soccer team will begin its 2024-25 season at home against Thompson Rivers University on Friday, August 23 at 7:15 p.m.
The 2023 Canada West Coach of the Year, Larry Stefanekbegins his third season at the helm of the Vikes. The team is coming off a solid 2023 campaign in which they finished with a record of 11-5-2, exceeded preseason expectations and advanced to the Canada West semifinals. Their run was halted by a close overtime loss to eventual conference champions Mount Royal University.
With the return of the core of their starting lineup, the Vikes remain one of the youngest teams in the conference, but there is a lot of potential in that youth that could make for an exciting year.
Important returnees
Fifth-year team captain and U SPORTS All-Canadian Javier Sagaste is back to lead the Vikes after a stellar 2023-24 season in which he led the team charts in goals, assists and points, scoring seven in each category for a total of 14 points. His six assists in the regular season were a league-best, while his six goals ranked third in Canada West, earning him a spot as a Canada West First Team All-Star.
Sagaste will be joined by the Tugwell brothers from North Vancouver, Fin (Canada West All-Star) and Archie, as well as Canada West All-Rookie team members Aiden Grew and Matthew Pearse. Grew, a left-footed defender from Victoria’s Lambrick Park, will form part of the Vikes’ strong back line, while Pearse will play a crucial role in attack.
“Matthew Pearse has incredible physicality and goal-scoring ability, which will be very important for us as we look to control the flow of the game and score points early this season,” Stefanek said.
Canadian futsal goalkeeper Callum Weir also returns after training brilliantly with Pacific FC during the off-season and earning a short-term replacement contract in June. In his second season, Weir behaves more like a seasoned athlete, acting as a team leader and calling the shots between the posts.
Off-season additions
Victoria’s Cole Michela standout player from St. Michael’s University School, will add size and depth to the Vikes’ attacking line. Michel, a 6’1″ forward, played overseas in Hungary and Serbia before moving to the Island in 2006 and joining the Vancouver Island Wave program.
Jacob Thomas from Victoria is another defender looking to make the matchday squad and hopes to bolster the Vikes’ already strong defense. Tristan Cornwelloriginally from Thunder Bay, Ontario, played for Harbourside FC in the offseason, made tremendous progress and, at 6’3″, can hopefully step in and contribute on offense.
Coach notes
“The goal this year is to build on last season, make small improvements and refine our adaptability and flexibility. We need to stay solid defensively and continue to keep clean sheets, while finding consistent ways to score goals offensively.”
“We are expected to do well and we enjoy that pressure to perform. We play most of our games away from home this season, so I’m excited to see how we do away from home and if we can control and dictate the game, building on last year and taking things to the next level,” Stefanek said.
Schedule 2024-25
