With a perfect 3-0 record through the exhibition soccer schedule, the Simon Fraser University varsity men’s team will begin looking ahead to some key non-conference match-ups ahead of the 2014 Great Northwest Athletic Conference schedule.
SFU will be looking to clinch their fifth consecutive Great Northwest conference title and make their third trip in as many years to the NCAA Division II post season. This season’s in-region non-conference schedule will play a key part in determining where the Clan end up, said head coach Alan Koch.
"Our non-conference schedule this year will be very challenging," said Koch in a Clan press release. "We are playing an ex-NCAA champion in Sonoma State, an ex-NAIA champion in Azusa Pacific and a program heading in the right direction in Hawaii-Hilo. All three of these matches will be tough challenges and games we will need to win to be successful in our region. They are all in-region NCAA matches and will have a major bearing on our regional seeding come NCAA tournament time."
The Clan looked strong during the exhibition season, starting with a 5-0 victory over the Kwantlen Polytechnic Eagles, before facing the 2013 Canada West Prairie Division Champions, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies twice, winning 4-1 and 1-0.
"The exhibition games were a great opportunity to give everyone a chance to show what they can do. I am very happy with our returning group and the mentality that they have approached this training camp. Nobody is taking anything for granted and everyone is working hard to earn their spot on the team. Our new players have come in willing to learn and embrace a new environment. It has been a challenge to put it together, but that is what training and games are there for. We are taking steps forward in the right direction and look forward to a positive season."
SFU will play two non-conference games at home and one on the road, starting with a match against the Sonoma State Seawolves on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Terry Fox Field.
The Clan will then host the Hawaii-Hilo Vulcans on their home pitch on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m., before wrapping up the non-conference portion of their schedule against the Azusa Pacific Wildcats on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. in Azusa, California.
Admission to all home games is free of charge.
Simon Fraser will start its run at a fifth consecutive conference championship against their cross-border rivals, the Western Washington Vikings, on Saturday, Sept. 20 in Bellingham.
WWU will also be the last game of the conference schedule for the Clan on Nov. 8 at home.
The Clan will visit the Seattle Pacific Falcons, the only other team from the Great Northwest conference to reach the NCAA tournament last season in October, while SFU will host the Falcons at Terry Fox Field later in the month.
SFU will enter the season after earning top spot in the conference polls for the fourth consecutive year and being ranked third in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America NCAA Div. II preseason poll.
The Clan will welcome back eight starters, including conference newcomer of the year Magnus Kristensen, defender of the year Alex Rowley and senior Jovan Blagojevic, who was the second in the conference in goals scored last year.
SFU led the NCAA Div. II last year in total points (211) and goals (77), the latter a Great Northwest record. The team was also second in scoring offence (3.35/gm) and total assists (57).
