UBCO Heat welcome UVic’s Koch home

The UBCO Heat men’s soccer team returns to the pitch this weekend against some stiff competition.

The Heat (1-1) host the UVic Vikings at Nonis Field today and the UBC Thunderbirds on Sunday. Both games are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.

Both UVic and UBC are undefeated after two games with UBC earning the No. 5 national ranking.

UBCO is coming off a split against the UNBC Timberwolves to open the Canada West season last weekend. The Heat won the opener 2-1, but fell 2-1 in the rematch.

Kelowna’s Sam McDonald scored two of the Heat’s three goals. The third-year defender doubled his career goal total with the pair against UNBC.

He has now matched his season high. The OKM graduate netted a pair in his rookie season in 12 matches.

A Kelowna player will be the one to watch for the visiting Vikes. Mount Boucherie graduate Isaac Koch, who missed all of last season with an injury, is back playing and he was a beast last weekend.

Koch assisted on four of the five Victoria goals and scored the other marker for the Vikes.

UBC, the reigning Canada West champions, are off to a good start as they attempt to defend their title.

Admission is free this weekend.