After making the Canada West playoffs in back-to-back seasons, the UBC Okanagan Heat women's soccer team looks to build on that success in 2025.
The team welcomes 12 rookies to complement a strong group of seniors, including locals Abigail Taneda and Annika Gross.
"Ever since I got here, we have definitely been building something, and you can see the meshing and development more on the field," said fifth-year midfielder Gross, a 2024 second-team All-Star. "It has translated to results, which is exciting, and we are building something pretty cool here."
Since joining Canada West in 2014, the Heat had never won more than four games or posted a win percentage above 39 per cent.
That changed in 2023, when the team set a program-best record of 8-4-2, scoring a franchise-high 30 goals. Their postseason berth, a first since 2016, ended with a narrow 1-0 loss to eventual U Sports bronze medalist Saskatchewan Huskies.
In 2024, expectations dipped with the graduation of top scorer Stefanie Young and her program-record 14 goals, but the setback never came. The Heat leaned on depth to finish 6-5-3 and returned to the playoffs, falling 1-0 again, this time to the Calgary Dinos.
"It was really cool to make the playoffs two years in a row," said fifth-year forward Taneda, who has tallied five assists in three straight seasons. "But this year I really hope we go further."
A more attacking style will be key, led by head coach Craig Smith, now entering his 10th year.
"We are in a really good place this year," said Smith. "Last season, we knew we could win with our group, as we constantly got the ball up on attack; it was only a question of who was going to put the ball in the net for us."
The Heat replaced Young's 14 goals in 2023 with now-graduated Alyssa Scott (three), Gross (three), Elena Georgacacos (two), and Sydney Kolodziej (two). Scoring will again be the emphasis in 2025.
"Things are looking a little bit different for roles on the team this year, with different positioning and formation," Taneda added. "We want to be among the top-scoring teams in the league."
Helping out the veterans, Taneda, Gross and Kolodzej will be a large swath of rookies, which includes Maria Georgacacos (Elena's sister), who scored in a preseason match.
"Our offence is a lot more balanced with contributions from everywhere, which is exciting," said Gross. "All the players, defence, midfielders and strikers, are trying to score from everywhere."
Despite recent success, wins against rival UBC Thunderbirds have remained elusive. The Heat are a career 0-13-1 all all-time against their "big sister."
"Ever since I have been here, our goal has always been to beat UBC, and we've been so close," Gross said.
In the past two seasons, the Thunderbids (winners of back-to-back national championships) have edged the Heat in four meetings, each by a single goal.
"We have three cracks at them this year, and it is very exciting," said Taneda. "It will push us even more to play our best."
Another important ingredient in the Heat's rise as a successful program has been the hometown growth of numerous players. Taneda, Gross, Kolodziej and third-year defender Jaidyn McGrath all grew up in the area.
"It's been really special to play at home," said Taneda. "Not everybody gets to have this experience, and a lot of us grew up playing with each other since elementary school, so we have a decade of experience together."
"Getting to do this entire journey with my teammates, family, and friends is just really great."
The Heat will have seven home games this year, including two against the Thunderbirds. Smith hopes for big crowds.
"We are looking to score a lot of goals and entertain people," said Smith. "We want fans to come out and enjoy the way we play."
The Heat season gets going on Friday, Aug. 29, at home against the Victoria Vikes. Kickoff is slated for 4:30 p.m.
