PACWEST Soccer Preview: VIU Mariners
The defending CCAA national champions have a new leader
It was a magical season for the VIU Mariners in 2017 winning the CCAA national championship on their home turf.
During the regular season they were virtually untouchable finishing 9-1-2 scoring an incredible 39 goals and allowing just eight, giving them a +31 rating.
As it turns out the season was the final one for head coach Bill Merriman who goes out on top with a CCAA national gold medal around his neck.
Enter new head coach Larry Stefanek who is a former Mariner himself. He speaks with Ryan Watters about the upcoming season and putting his own fingerprint of the 2018 Mariners.
Head Coach: Larry Stefanek (1st season)
2017 Result: finished 9-1-2 in PACWEST play, hosted and won the CCAA national championship
2018 Impact Player: Shun Takano who returns after a stellar 2017 season. He scored three goals at the national championship including the game winner on the opening night against the Indiens d’Ahuntsic. He scored five goals during the PACWEST season.
Three Key Additions: Juan Rubiano (Mid Isle Mariners), Stephan Kriegel (Mid Isle Mariners) and Nikolas Mellino (SAIT)
Three Key Departures: Jeff Travis, Chris Merriman and Colin Knight