Preview: Mariners Welcome the Blues to Kick Off 2022

NANAIMO - VIU Mariners men's soccer opens up the 2022 PACWEST campaign with a pair of home dates versus the Capilano University Blues.

WHEN & WHERE

Saturday, September 10 at Beban Park Turf Fields (Second Artificial Turf), 3 p.m.
*A fan bus will be transporting fans from the VIU Residences to Beban Park.

Sunday, September 11 at Q'unq'inuqwstuxw Turf Field at Nanaimo District Secondary School, 5 p.m.

All VIU soccer games are free to attend.

TUNE IN

Home games will be streamed live on YouTube.

FRESH FACES

The Mariners will feature nine first-year players on the opening day roster but the most prominent newcomer to the team is Kevin Lindo, who enters his first season as head coach of the VIU men after coaching the Mariner women from 2017-2021. Assistant coach Ash Mohtadi joins Lindo in moving from the women's squad to the men.

Lindo, who earned his UEFA A License Certification this year and who also coaches with Nanaimo United FC, has recruited a number of NUFC players to VIU, including Alex Dedame (Gabriola Island, BC), Declan Brown (Nanaimo), and Patrick Osakabe-Green. Leon Jonathan Backes, from Germany, will look to bolster the midfield.

MANY HAPPY RETURNS

The 2022 campaign sees the return of goalkeeper Kevin Picard (Chilliwack, BC), who was the main man in net during VIU'S run to a CCAA national silver medal in 2019. Defender Travis Brown and forward Vasilis "Billy" Bagiopoulos--who were part of that 2019 team--are also back in Mariners colours.

DEPARTURE BAYS

This season will be the first in some time where home fans won't be entertained by the acrobatic Shun Takano, as the all-star completed his five years of college eligibility in 2021. Scoring forward Taylor Arbour, who also completed his fifth year in 2021, moves off of the pitch and goes behind the bench for his first year as an assistant coach with VIU.

NET GAINS

Picard looks to start in net for the Mariners and will be backed up by first-year 'keeper Matteo Chirico (Nelson, BC).

2021 RESULTS

VIU: 4-4-1, 3rd place in the conference. 
PACWEST silver medalists after a 1-0 semifinal win over Langara and a 2-0 loss to Douglas.
Capilano: 3-6, 4th place in the conference and failed to make the playoffs.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

VIU went 2-1 versus Capilano during the 2021 season, winning the first two matches 3-2 and 2-0 before falling 2-0 in the final game of the regular season. Returnees Matt Coburn and Michael Heppelle each scored a goal against Capilano. 

WATCH OUT NOW

While both VIU and Capilano feature a large number of first-year student-athletes on their rosters, Capilano's lineup also features five fifth-year players. The Mariners don't have any players in their fifth year of eligibility.

For offence, keep an eye on VIU's Bagiopolous and Capilano's Adrian Sahagun. Both are experienced strikers who can impact any game.