The Huskies men’s soccer team is already off to a good start. Coming home from a preseason tournament in Kelowna, B.C. with four straight wins and only one goal against, the team set their sights to further improve their game during the remainder of their fall camp and to carry that momentum with them into the regular season.

The Huskies finished fourth in their conference with a 7-7-3 record last season and ended up in a tough playoff match against the top-ranked University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. Unable to rally for a win, the Huskies were eliminated. The team lost four veteran players at the end of their last season but moving forward this year, the team is finding itself once again.

Head coach Bryce Chapman remarked that the preseason has been very productive but added that it is best to approach the regular season with cautious optimism.

The men’s soccer team has nine first-time Huskies added to the roster this year.

“At this point, we’re pleased but we know we have a bit of work heading into the regular season next week. I think that we learned enough about our players right now. We’re moving a few pieces around and at the end of the day, we’re a young group,” Chapman said.

In total, the roster will feature 15 returning players and nine first-time Huskies, but despite the new legs Chapman added that the team certainly is not lacking leadership.

“We have a good leadership group of fifth-years  — five fifth-years. I think this is going to be an exciting group of kids. They just have to get their feet under themselves once they hit the league, because [it’s] always different than preseason, and learning to compete week-in and week-out will be a challenge for them, and I’m excited to see what we can put together,” Chapman said.

Midfielder and team captain Mitch Bauche shared a similar sentiment to Chapman. Bauche, who is entering his final year of eligibility with the Huskies, remarked that the preseason has gone well so far but more work has yet to be done before the Huskies are ready to hit the field for the regular season.

“[The team’s coming together] really well. We’ve been together two and a half weeks now and we’re starting to really click. The guys are getting to know each other, and we’re starting to develop our identity, I guess. Things are moving along nicely,” Bauche said. “[Kelowna] was good. Obviously we’re happy to be winning, but then again we have to recognize that it’s just preseason and we’re not winning any points yet, but it’s good to build up that team morale. We’re happy with the performances but we’re looking to take that into the season.”

Last season, Bauche ended with four goals and four assists and aims to have another productive year.

The Huskies began the Canada West season on the road against the University of Calgary Dinos on Aug. 31, and will take on the Mount Royal University Cougars on Sept. 1 away from home.

The Huskies return home to host the MacEwan University Griffins on Sept. 9, followed by a rematch of the 2014 CanWest final against the University of Alberta Golden Bears on Sept. 11. Both Sept. 9 and Sept. 11 feature the inaugural Bateman Cup, a celebration to honour the history of men’s soccer at the U of S.

All Huskie soccer matches are played on Field 7 in PotashCorp Park. For more information on game times, head to huskies.usask.ca.

—

Brenden Palmer / Sports & Health Editor

Photo: Jeremy Britz / Photo Editor