Lethbridge – Coming off a bye during the opening weekend of the Canada West conference schedule, the Lethbridge Pronghorn men's soccer team finally competes in their first conference action, traveling to Winnipeg to face the Winnipeg Wesmen in a pair of games.
Kick-offs for the weekend series are scheduled for 6:00pm CST Friday night and 8:00pm CST Saturday night.
The 2014 version of the University of Lethbridge Pronghorn men's soccer team will showcase a strong mix of experience and youth with 10 true freshmen on the roster but will be led by a strong nucleus of veterans.
This nucleus will look to build off a successful summer club season as a handful of the current Pronghorns joined forces with 'Horns Alumni and other local soccer players to earn the Lethbridge Football Club (LFC) their first Alberta Major Soccer League (AMSL) regular season title.
Fifth-year defenders Conner Brady and Scott Slomp will be tasked with leading the squad and bringing the youth up to speed in quick fashion.
One area of strength for the 'Horns this season should be in the middle of the field with an exceptional collection of third-year athletes in Dom Rigaux, Gui Costa and Dom Point du Jour and the addition of Allan Siwella. After transferring from Medicine Hat College last year, Siwella missed the entire 2014 season due to an injury but has regained his Canadian College All-Canadian form this summer with LFC.
Returning incumbent keeper Tyler Boast will bring stability to the last line of defence in his fourth year of eligibility. Boast led the conference in saves last season with 51 and led Canada West keepers in shutouts in 2013.
Incoming freshmen include local products Kendell Weins, Riley Flint, Stephen Primeau and Audulio Arraga. They are joined by defenders Blake Pipke, Cormac Southam and Ethan Perkins as well as midfielders Sean Gaiskey and Jared Ursulan and all are expected to push for playing time.
For the Wesmen, despite high expectations heading into the season, the 2014 season did not get off to the start they were looking for, losing both games last weekend in Edmonton to the Alberta Golden Bears, 6-3 and 6-1.
The 'Horns return home next weekend to host the newest Canada West school, MacEwan University Griffins.
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