Varsity sports roundup: Pandas soccer gets back on track, Bears soccer keeps rolling

Pandas Soccer

After five consecutive matches against teams from B.C. to open the season, the Pandas soccer team faced their first opponents from Alberta this past weekend and were able to win both of their games to snap their four game losing streak. They beat the Calgary Dinos 2-0 on Friday, buoyed by goals from Kristin Livingstone and Madeline Smith-Ackerl, and repeated the feat on Sunday, beating the Lethbridge Pronghorns 3-0. The offensive outburst on the weekend nearly matched the Pandas goal total from the entire season, and 2013 Canada West MVP Julia Ignacio also notched her second goal of the season in the win against the Pronghorns. The Pandas will stay at home for back-to-back games against the University of Northern British Columbia Heat this upcoming Saturday and Sunday. — Zach Borutski

Bears Soccer

The Bears soccer team continued their excellent play early this season, ending a rare three game week undefeated, tallying a win against the MacEwan Griffins on Wednesday, and a pair of wins against the Winnipeg Wesmen on the weekend. The Bears handled the Griffins easily, winning 4-1 on the back of two goals from midfielder Mohamed Teliani, netting head coach Len Vickery his 200th career CIS win in the process. The Bears then rolled over the Wesmen on the weekend with a 5-1 win on Friday night, and a 3-0 win on Saturday evening. The Bears also sport the two top scorers in Canada West so far this year, as Teliani leads the league with six goals, while Tolu Esan and Shamit Shome are both tied with other players with five. A rematch with MacEwan next week is up next on the schedule, with the Bears looking to separate themselves from the Mount Royal Cougars for top spot in the Prairie Division. — Zach Borutski

Pandas Rugby

Making a promising rebound from their opening game loss to the Calgary Dinos, the defending Canada West Champions Panda’s Rugby celebrated a 41-21 win against the Lethbridge Pronghorns this past weekend. The Pandas started strong in the first half with an Amanda Smith try just three minutes in. Keeping the momentum going, the Pandas scored five tries in the first half, and were able to build a 27-7 lead going into the second half. The‘Horns mounted more pressure in the second half, with Lethbridge’s Kara Loewen scoring a try in the 42nd minute. However, the Panda’s continued to play strong, racking another 3 tries to make the final score 41-21. The Pandas now head out to the West Coast to play the UBC Thunderbirds and Victoria Vikes Friday, Oct. 16 and Sunday, Oct. 18. — Alyssa Demers

Bears Volleyball

The Golden Bears travelled to Ontario last week to face McMaster, in a three-game exhibition series billed as a preview to the CIS Finals to be held at Mac in March.The Bears were in tough against the defending OUA Champion Marauders in the first two matches, losing both in straight sets. The Bears struggled from the serve line, with unforced errors and shaky defence leading to two lopsided losses. In Saturday night’s third match, it looked like it was going to be more of the same. McMaster shot ahead to lead 2-0, but the Bears’ patented system of offense-by-committee and bulletproof block led them to come back for a 3-2 win. Fourth-year right side Ryan Nickifor spun 18 kills in the win, leading the Bears out of Hamilton with a win under their belts.The Volley Bears don’t play again until October 16 and 17, when they host the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack in their opening league matches. Matches will be played at 7:30pm on Friday and 5:00 on Saturday at the Savile Centre. — Mitch Sorensen