UVic teams hit the road seeking wins

It’s a busy weekend, both home and away, for University of Victoria Vikes teams. But none of the squads will rack up more Canada West conference travel points than the UVic women’s soccer team (2-1-2). They will travel 4,206 kilometres to take on the University of Alberta Pandas (3-1) today in Edmonton and the UNBC Timberwolves (0-4) on Sunday in Prince George.

“Last weekend ended on a low [3-0 home defeat last Sunday to Fraser Valley] but it also lit a fire that has us ready and eager to get two wins this weekend,” said veteran fifth-year Vikes defender Lindsay Machin, in a statement.

The UVic men’s soccer team (2-4) also has a long Canada West road-trip weekend in taking on the Pronghorns (2-5-1) Saturday in Lethbridge and the Dinos (4-2) Sunday in Calgary.

“We know we are competitive with anybody and this is a chance for us to put some points together,” said Vikes coach Bruce Wilson, in a statement.

In Canada West women’s field hockey, the Vikes are in Calgary to face the Dinos (0-0). UVic opened last weekend with a pair of 1-1 draws against the defending CIS champion UBC Thunderbirds in a rematch of the 2015 national championship final.

The Vikes rowing team, meanwhile, is at the Canadian championships this weekend on Burnaby Lake.

On the home front is UVic rugby. The Vikes men will be under the lights tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Wallace Field in their home opener against the Westshore Valhallians. The Vikes were beaten 36-26 by James Bay in their season opener while the Valhallians were blanked 34-0 by the Castaway Wanderers.

The UVic women’s rugby team, which will host the CIS national championships in November, plays the Calgary Dinos today at 5 p.m. in the Jenny Vincent Memorial Game at Wallace Field.