EDMONTON - For the first time since October 25th, 2019, the Bears Soccer program returns to the pitch, as they take on the MacEwan Griffins in a season-opening home-and-home series this weekend. 

The Bears will play host on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Foote Field, with the Griffins hosting on Saturday afternoon. 

Alberta has had no issue with their cross-town rivals since MacEwan's inception into Canada West, owning a 7-0-1 all-time conference record. 

Head coach Martin Fenger-Andersen also fields an impressive squad in 2021, led by former All-Stars Ajeej Sarkaria and Noah Cunningham, as well as returning starters Lahai Mansaray, Matthew Miki, and Syed Shah. 

Along with the strong core of fourth and fifth-year athletes, Fenger-Andersen also brought in an impressive recruiting class this summer. The Bears, who are looking for their first CW and U SPORTS banners since 2016, were also ranked fourth in the Canada West pre-season coaches poll, slotting in behind only UBC, Mount Royal, and Trinity Western. 

Alberta will host an additional four home games at Foote Field this season after Sunday's home opener, as they will also welcome MRU (Oct. 3), Calgary (Oc.t 16/17), and Saskatchewan (Oct. 23) to South Campus in 2021. 
 

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SEASON PREVIEW

2019 CW regular season record: /5-6-3/, 4^th, Prairie Division
2019 post-season record: /0-1/, L vs UBC, CW Quarter-Final
Head Coach: Martin Fenger-Andersen: 3^rd Year / 5-6-3 Career CW reg. season record
 
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2016 / 11
Last CIS championship / total CIS championships: 2016 / 5
 
2019 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 19 goals, 7^th
Defence: 19 goals against, 5^th
 
2019 CW regular season leaders (returning):
Goals: 7 – Garry Onyejelem, Forward
Assists: 3 – Matthew Miki, Midfield
Points: 7 – Garry Onyejelem, Forward
Wins: 4 – Liam Collens, Goal Keeper
Shutouts: 4 – Liam Collens, Goal Keeper
 
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Dylan Atwal / Right Back / 1^st / Victoria, BC / U23 Pacific Tridents
Adyn Lamont / Centre Back / 1^st / Duncan, BC / Cowichan FC
Armaan Nijjar / Centre Back / 1^st / Victoria, BC / U23 Pacific Tridents
Carlos Patino / Midfield / 1^st / Tulua, Columbia / Cavalry FC
 
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Janko Vong / Defender / Coquitlam, BC / 5
Cam Borrett / Midfield / Sturgeon County, AB / 6
Daniel Barker-Rothschild / Midfield / Edmonton, AB / 5
 
Key performer
Ajeej Sarkaria / Forward / 4^th Year / Edmonton, AB
2019 Stats: DNP (Professional Contract)
2018 Stats: 10 Goals / 10 Assists / 20 Points
 
Not only has Bears head coach Martin Fenger-Andersen brought in an impressive recruiting class for 2021, but has also added arguably the best player in Canada West history to his roster for the fall.
 
Ajeej Sarkaria spent three seasons with the Bears (2016-18), setting the Canada West scoring record with 62 points in 42 conference games, while his 37 career goals only two behind the CW record of 39.
 
Sarkaria spent the 2019 season with FC Edmonton of the Canadian Premier League, appearing in 10 professional matches.
 
The three-time CW first team All-Star will lead a talented Bears roster this season, as they look for their first conference banner since Sarkaria's rookie season in 2016.