Lexi Fawcett (L), Karen Battie (C), and Nicole Foglietta (R) are three of the core leaders on the VIU women's soccer team. (Dan Marshall/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Dan Marshall

Mariners Kickoff

VIU Mariners kickoff 2019 PACWEST soccer season

Sep 5, 2019 | 5:15 PM

NANAIMO — The PACWEST soccer season gets underway this weekend for the VIU Mariners.

The women are defending provincial champions and look to take things a step further by winning a national title in 2019.

Graduating fourth year player Karen Battie told NanaimoNewsNOW she’s focused on just one match at a time, but the big picture includes a CCAA championship.

“I do want to think about nationals being our biggest goal, but I think winning the league is very reachable for us.”

Battie along with fifth year players Lexi Fawcett and Nicole Foglietta will provide much of the veteran leadership.

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Foglietta wants to do her part to create an inclusive team with a strong work ethic.

“I really want to leave a good legacy,” the Dover Bay grad explained. “I’ve played five years on this team and I’ve seen just about everything. I want to make sure I leave it (the program) better than when I came in.”

The Mariners women have back to back games with Capilano, Saturday Sept. 7 and Sunday Sept. 8.

A four team league brings a lot of turnover every year. According to Fawcett it’s hard to know exactly what to expect from the Mariners opening weekend opposition.

“They’re going to be a very strong physical team. The last time we played them was at provincials and we beat them so they’re going to have that in the back of their minds and come out really hard.”

It’s a different set of circumstances for the men’s Mariners who are looking to make significant improvements over last season.

The 2018 Mariners did not make the provincials but they have plenty of new additions to help bolster their position.

Those newcomers include goalkeeper Kevin Picard, defenders Fraser Rideout and Diego Corlazolli. midfielders Travis Brown and Westlee Bischoff, along with forwards Michael Heppelle, Hector Valdez and Billy Bagiopoulos.

Coach Larry Stefanek has a vision for the style of play he thinks will be successful for his group.

“We want to play a style of football where we can keep possession for longer periods of time and play in the opponents half of the field more, while being strong and safe defensively at the back.”

Stefanek told NanaimoNewsNOW the men’s matches on Sept. 7 and Sept 8. against Capilano will be a tough challenge against a team that is strong in all facets of the game.

The PACWEST season is incredibly short with just six weekends of double headers.

Both the women’s and men’s sides will have to round into form quickly in order to peak in time for provincials in the final week of October.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77