New Season, New Squad, Same Goals

NANAIMO, B.C. - A trip back to the CCAA (Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association) national tournament is front and center for VIU men's soccer in 2024. The first step? Kicking off the regular season at home.

The PACWEST (Pacific Western Athletic Association) men's soccer schedule, released today, includes VIU's home opener against the Langara College Falcons on Saturday, September 7 at the Beban Park Turf Fields. Kick-off is 3 p.m. and admission is free. 

Home Games

• September 7 & 8 vs Langara (Alumni Weekend)
• September 28 & 29 vs Douglas
• October 19 & 20 vs Capilano (Grad/Seniors Weekend)

Road Games

• September 14 at Douglas
• September 15 at Capilano
• September 21 at Capilano
• September 22 at Langara
• October 5 at Langara
• October 6 at Douglas

Last season, the Mariners struggled with the Falcons and earned only one point from the Vancouver squad over four games. However, VIU upset the Falcons in the PACWEST championship semifinal as a Douglas Mtatabikwa first-half penalty kick was enough to see the Mariners through to the final. That win also qualified the Mariners for the CCAA men's soccer national championship in Windsor, Ontario, where the Mariners finished in fifth place.

After hosting the defending CCAA and PACWEST champion Douglas Royals on September 28 and 29, the Mariners will finish off the regular season by welcoming the Capilano Blues on October 19 and 20. 

This year's PACWEST championship tournament will be hosted by Langara College on October 26 and 27. The tournament winner will book a long flight to get to the CCAA men's soccer national championship, hosted by St. Thomas University in Frederiction, NB, November 6-9. The PACWEST does not have a wildcard berth to this tournament. 

VIU's last medal at a CCAA championship came in 2019 as the Mariners brought home a silver from Ontario.

 Schedule Notes

• Each team will play the other teams four times: twice at home and twice on the road.
• The home opener is VIU's only game at Beban Park in 2024. All other home games will take place at Q'unq'inuqwstuxw Stadium at Nanaimo District Secondary School.
• All home games will start at 3 p.m. with the women's matchups preceding at 12:30 p.m. Road game times will vary between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• All games will be streamed live via SportsCanada.tv through each athletic department's YouTube page. 

VIU's 2023 Regular Season Results

• 4 wins, 1 tie, 7 losses: 13 points (3rd PACWEST)
• 15 goals for, 22 goals against 
• Vs. Langara: 0 W, 1 T, 3 L
• Vs. Douglas: 2 W, 2 L
• Vs. Capilano: 2 W, 2 L

 For more information, please contact VIU Communications & Sports Information Coordinator, Matt Carter.