EDMONTON - For the first time in 685 days, the Pandas Soccer team will suit up for Canada West competition, when they visit the MacEwan Griffins this Saturday at 12:00 p.m. MT at Clareview Field.

The Pandas last saw conference action on October 20th, 2019, with their last match coming on October 25th, when they lost in the Canada West quarter-final. The 2020/21 Canada West season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

This fall will also mark the first competitive season for head coach Kristyn Shapka, who took over the Pandas on November 29th, 2019. 

"Anytime you start a season you expect to see that elevated adrenaline, you see nerves although you hope you can help provide the tools to manage them," said Shapka on the upcoming season. "I think every team is going to see that this year on a higher level than past seasons. As much as we can talk about it as a team and the athletes can talk about it, we're anticipating an incredibly high level of energy, and I think that first week is going to be about managing that energy and those emotions."
 

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SEASON PREVIEW

2019 CW regular season record: 6-2-6, 4^th in Prairie Division
2019 post-season record: 0-1, L vs UFV, CW Quarter-Final
Head Coach Kristyn Shapka: 2nd Year / 0-0-0 Career CW reg. season record
 
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2013 / 9
Last CIS championship / total CIS championships: 2001 / 3
 
2019 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 23 goals, 6^th
Defence: 16 goals against, 6^th
 
2019 CW regular season leaders (Returning student-athletes):
Goals: 2 – Brooke Lang, Defender
Assists: 1 – Nicole McKay, Defender
Points: 2 – Brooke Lang, Defender
Wins: 6 – Ashley Turner, Goal Keeper
Shutouts: 3.5 – Ashley Turner, Goal Keeper
 
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Wanda Czebreszuk / Midfield / 1^st / Brampton, Ontario / Woodbridge Soccer Club
Vanessa Minckler / Midfield / 2^nd / Edmonton, AB / NAIT Ooks
Abbie  Sheflo / Midfield / 1^st / Edmonton, AB / Juventus
Kelli Haffie / Defender / 1^st / Sturgeon County, AB / North West United
 
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Aly Parth / Midfield / St. Albert, AB / 5
Kiera Fujimoto / Midfield / Red Deer, AB / 5
Brenna Mattiello / Forward / Edmonton, AB / 5
Nicole Palladino / Forward / Edmonton, AB / 5
Morgan Corbett / Midfield / Edmonton, AB / 5