Written by Diego Machado
As of Wednesday, October 12th, The TRU Men’s Soccer team continues to stand at the top of their division, after a loss (1-2) and a tie with HBC Okanagan as their last two home games of the regular season. This is a refreshing advancement from their placement in the last few years as they’ve typically ended up mid-table, coming sixth in 2018, and fourth in 2019 and 2021. (No sports were happening in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.) This sudden rise in success could be attributed to any number of factors, as the team has managed to outperform much of their competition throughout the season. They’ve managed to hold an average of 1.31 goals scored per game, and allowing an average of only 0.77 goals allowed. This, in part, can largely be credited to their forward, Nelson BC native Rylan Lewis, who has scored 7 of the 17 goals in the 12 games played so far this season.
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Goalkeeper Jackson Gardner, in his fourth season for the Wolfpack, has also made his mark this year with 27 saves on 37 shots on goal. When asked if there were any significant changes made that helped improve the team’s record and standing from previous years, he was quick to answer, saying “100% Yeah, our coach John, he’s brought in some big signings, you know, we have guys coming from various academies like Ante (Grgic) came from Croatia, Alessandro (Comita) from Vancouver Whitecaps Academy, things like that. Great signings coming in, and JJ (Josh Banton) is eligible this year so he’s able to get in the backline there, which has helped a lot, and key guys like Jost (Hausendorf) are back from injury which makes a huge difference.” Gardner continued to praise all of his teammates, but gives the most credit to the team mindset as a whole. “All in all, I think it’s like the perfect storm, just a bunch of guys coming back and great new signings as well. Also the culture this year is amazing, in the sense of preparation, you know, doing the extra recovery sessions, having that team-focused mentality. Having 18 guys in the match all ready to go, 35 odd guys in the entire squad that are really dedicated, taking training seriously, just an overall really good environment. I think that’s something I wouldn’t say we’ve lacked in previous years, but this year is definitely kind of top-notch. We’ve found a new level”
Two games remain in the regular season, and Gardner is optimistic they’ll be heading to the championship game, scheduled to be held November 10th to 13th at Hillside stadium, the wolfpack’s home turf. When asked how he feels about the team’s chances, Gardner had a confident answer. “Yeah. One hundred percent I think if you want to win you need to have a championship mindset. You have to have that kind of idea that you’re gonna go all the way and I think with the confidence this group has, you know, we’re holding first place the last couple of weekends into the season, we’re happy with how it’s gone so far, but the job’s not finished. We want to keep it professional and take care of business, and I think that’s what the best teams do, you know? They don’t get caught up with all the accolades or the standings. We just know we have a job to do every week, so we want to carry that mentality through the playoffs and then hopefully, next thing you know, we’re walking away with a medal around our necks.”
This year, the TRU wolfpack also welcomed a new member in Jude Mitton, a young man who suffers from a rare disease called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic disorder which causes muscle degeneration and weakness. Even though Jude can’t play sports, he was inducted as an honorary member of the wolfpack, and at their game on September 9th he was announced as part of the starting lineup. ”Yeah, it’s definitely special, it’s one of those things that not every athlete gets to experience, touching someone’s life like that and having them touch yours as well; And it’s definitely heartwarming, and it makes you really appreciate what you have and really relish the opportunity to kind of give back and make him a part of the game, which he deserves.”
(Jude Mitton with TRU Men’s Wolfpack, Sept. 9th. Image: CFJC)
“He’s such a great kid to have around, it’s really been it’s been a privilege getting to know him. Walking onto the field with him, going to his birthday party, things like that. It’s been really touching and yeah, I’m really, really blessed to have been a part of it.”
Throughout the season, the Wolfpack will honour Jude’s love and dedication to soccer by continually raising funds and spreading awareness for this rare disease. The team’s last two regular season games will be played against the UVIC Vikes on October 21st, and the UBC Thunderbirds the next day.
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