As the UBC Okanagan Heat men's soccer team stepped on the pitch for preseason training, head coach Dante Zanatta was blunt about their 4-83 campaign in 2024.
"It wasn't good enough last year," he told 91大黄鸭 Capital News. "It's pretty evident we never reached our goals as we didn't make playoffs and didn't compete for Canada West titles. On the pitch, we need results."
The Heat missed the Canada West postseason for the seventh straight year in 2024. Since moving from Pac West competition to the U Sports level in 2014, the program has never finished above .500, with a high-water mark of six wins reached just twice.
Zanatta, who has led the program since 2011, knows results must improve.
鈥淚t鈥檚 obvious that development is important, but putting the ball in the back of the net is the crux of football,鈥� Zanatta said. 鈥淚n our league, everyone鈥檚 very competitive.鈥�
Last season, the Heat opened against the powerhouse UBC Thunderbirds (who were the eventual national champions) and began with a promising first-half goal. But, a disastrous final four minutes sank the Heat 2-1, costing them their second-ever win over their 鈥渂ig brother鈥� and derailing their season.
鈥淚f we win that game, I think our season goes in a different direction,鈥� Zanatta reflected. 鈥淏ut the season鈥檚 short, and you have to capitalize on those opportunities.鈥�
Looking to 2025, there is optimism. The team graduated just two seniors and will rely on internal development. Fifth-year midfielder Alex Sol is expected to help steer the team to its first playoff berth since 2016.
"We鈥檙e really pushing in preseason to focus on the fine margins, since we have a younger group this year,鈥� said Sol, whose lone goal last season came in that opener against UBC. 鈥淕oing into big games, those losses will definitely be on everyone鈥檚 minds and we can鈥檛 make those mistakes again.鈥�
The Heat scored only 11 goals last season, and the forward group, which includes sophomore Jaise Shaw, and junior Dario Fedele, will be crucial.
鈥淛aise had multiple opportunities last year, and his second-half performance was night-and-day compared to the start. We鈥檙e expecting big things from him,鈥� Zanatta said. 鈥淒ario tore his ACL two years ago, but we鈥檙e hoping this is his breakout year.鈥�
Zanatta also pointed to rookie Gavin La Montagne as a possible contributor.
鈥淚n football, strikers get paid a lot of money,鈥� remarked Zanatta. 鈥淲e need our players to score.鈥�
Among the 14 rookies joining the squad is local product Charlie Prefontaine, who redshirted last season.
鈥淚t was great to watch how the team worked together,鈥� said Prefontaine, who played youth soccer with Okanagan FC. 鈥淚 picked up little things I might have missed if I were playing, but now I鈥檓 ready for 2025.鈥�
With the season short, just 15 total games spread out over 52 days, the Heat hope home support makes a difference.
"In the Okanagan, this is the best quality football you will see," Sol said. "We are looking for wins and nothing else, so if the fans can give us that extra energy, it would be huge.鈥�
The season kicks off for the Heat at home on Friday, Aug 29, against the Victoria Vikes. Kick off is at 7 p.m.
