The VIU Mariners soccer teams start the 2023 season with a weekend of road games at Capilano and Douglas College. (Dan Marshall/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Dan Marshall

Kick Off

VIU soccer season begins with road matches at Capilano & Douglas College

Sep 8, 2023 | 4:25 PM

NANAIMO — The VIU Mariners are back on the pitch with hopes for national medals in men’s and women’s soccer.

In 2022, both squads won their respective PACWEST provincial championships and made CCAA nationals appearances. The women came home with a bronze medal while the men finished in sixth place.

This season both squads have a mix of veterans and newcomers, but the goal remains the same. For fifth-year goalkeeper Melanie Osborne, the goal is getting back to the CCAA tournament again.

“It’s definitely one of the first things we talk about. I think it’s good to have concrete goals and know what you want to do as a team. The little steps and your goals to get there are the most important. We know what we want and that’s a podium finish at nationals.”

The women play at Capilano on Saturday, Sept. 9 then visit Douglas College on Sunday, Sept. 10.

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Third-year midfielder Courtney Ingram said she and her teammates will need to hit the ground running.

“Mindset is huge and the first weekend is always a tough one. We’re travelling and getting right into it so it’s important we’re ready as a team.”

In the 2022-23 season, all six VIU Mariners teams played in a CCAA national tournament, including both volleyball and basketball programs.

Veteran midfielder Travis Brown said players in all the varsity sports strive to meet a very high standard.

“We set high expectations for ourselves and I think every team that plays for VIU has high expectations. Our goal is definitely to be in Windsor (for nationals) in November.”

Brown said the men’s team has been training since the start of August and the squad has gelled together well.

“We’ve had a lot of young players come in that are confident and really helping the core establish a good team. I think the whole team’s excited. We’ve been waiting for this game for a month so we’re ready for it.”

The men will play their season opener immediately after the women versus Capilano, then play a second matchup against Douglas on Sunday.

Fourth-year midfielder Michael Heppelle won’t be playing in the first match because of a red card that carried over from last year.

He believes in taking a measured approach to achieve the goals of a provincial and national title.

“Our ultimate goal is to win the national championship. In order to do that, it’s all about process. We have to do well in every game and learn from that and the wins will come.”

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