PREVIEW: Heat will make first playoff appearance, play undefeated Spartans on Saturday

The Heat women will play their first ever Canada West postseason match against the Spartans at 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 29 at Chase Office Field in Langley, BC

Game Times (PST)
Canada West  Pacific Division Play-In

SATURDAY, OCT 29th, 2016:
4 PM | Heat Women's Soccer (4-9-1) @ the Trinity Western Spartans (6-3-3)
Webcast | Live Stats @ Chase Office Field // Langley, BC

UBC OKANAGAN HEAT (6-9-3, 4-9-1 Canada West)
CIS National Ranking: N/A
CanWest Standings: 6th - Pacific
Last week: 0-2-0, Sat L vs Saskatchewan (2-0); Sun L vs Regina (1-0)
Streak: 2 L
2015-16 Record: 2-8-4, 7th place, West Division
2016 CanWest Playoffs: N/A
2016 CIS Tournament: N/A
2015-16 Overall Record: (3-9-4)
Last CanWest Title: N/A
Last CIS Title: N/A

• SCHEDULE
• ROSTER
• STATS
• STANDINGS

This week for the Heat: This week marks the first week of play offs for the Heat women’s soccer team and their first ever trip to the Canada West postseason. They have only been playing Cnaada West since 2014. The first round is a win or go home a singular match, the Kelowna squad will be matched up against Trinity Western University. The first and only game of the series is set for Saturday (Oct. 29) in Langley at the at the Chase Office Field with a start time of 4 p.m.

Current Form: Coming off of the last weekend of regular season games with two losses to the University of Saskatchewan (2-0) and the University of Regina, the Heat completed their 2016/2017 campaign with a record of (4-9-1).  Clinching the sixth and final playoff spot. As this week marks the first ever playoff competition for the Kelowna squad they will be training all week with first year coach Craig Smith for the new experience this upcoming weekend.

Key Players:  The Heat have been led by third year Courtney Hemmerling in regular season play. With four goals, one assist, and a shot percentage .095, Hemmerling is relentless on the offensive attck and has taken a total of 42 shots during the Heats 2016-17 campaign. Following Hemmerling is Cassie Bratton with two goals in the regular season. As a speedy forward, Bratton is able to use her quickness and  speed to assist her team on the offensive line. Both forwards will have to be on their game to match the high powered Spartans.  

Team Stat: Finishing the season in the sixth and final playoff spot the Heat have been able to score 15 goals in the 14 games they played. The Kelowna squad was also able to take 147 shots and finished with a .102 shot percentage. Preparing for the playoffs ahead the Heat will have to be solid on defense after surrendering 30 goals during their regular season.

Overall Head to Head (W-L-T) vs vs TWU (0-3-1): The Heat have yet to win a match against the Spartans squad since their entry into the league. During regular season the Heat went head to head for a fourth time against the Spartans and lost at home (3-0)

2016 CW regular season ranks:

Offence: 15 goals, 7th-tied
Defence: 27 goal against, 14th

2016 CW regular season leaders:

Goals: 4 – Courtney Hemmerling, F
Assists: 1 – 5 players tied
Points: 5 – Courtney Hemmerling, F
Wins: 3 – Chloe Ainsworth, GK
Shutouts: 2 – Chloe Ainsworth, GK

Trinity Western Spartans (11-0-3 Canada West)           
CIS National Ranking: 2
CanWest Standings: 1st - Pacific
Last week: 1-0-1, Sat W vs Lethbridge (2-0); Sat T vs Calgary (1-1)
Streak: 1 T
2015-16: 10-2-3, 2^nd Pacific Division
2015-16 Playoff Record: 5-2, 4th
2015-16 Overall Record: 
Last CW Title/Total CW Titles: 2007 / 3
Last CIS Title/Total CIS Titles: None

• SCHEDULE
• ROSTER
• STATS
• STANDINGS

Spartans: On Saturday the Heat will play Trinity Western University in the first round of playoffs, finishing first in West Division, the Spartans are coming off of a split weekend and will be looking to defend their home pitch and once again move on in the postseason when the Heat head to Langley for the Quarter-final match at 4 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 29).

Current Form: Coming off of the last weekend of regular season, the Spartans finished with a (2-0) win against the University of Lethbridge and a (1-1) draw against the University of Calgary. With the split the Spartans were able hold a record of (11-0-3) and maintain their first place spot in the Pacific West division. With no losses during the regular season, the Spartans were only held to draws against the University of Victoria, the University of Calgary, and UBC.

Key Players: The Spartans were led by Isabella Di Trocchio who finished the regular season with eight goals. As a fifth year player for the Spartans, Trocchio is well experienced on the field and prepared for a battled in her final games of her career. Following Trocchio is Danae Derkson with four goals and one assist.

Team Stat: With a total of 31 goals scored in the regular season, the Spartans finished the season eleventh in the CIS for that category. With a relentless offensive line that has taken 198 shots during their 2016/2017 campaign, the Heat will have to be prepared for a battle in their defensive end.

Preseason preview courtesy of Canadawest.org