The Golden Bears soccer team will open their 2023 schedule with a pair of home contests at Foote Field this weekend. Looking to return to the top of the conference and national table for the first time since 2016, the Bears enter 2023 as one of the CW favourites, as they are ranked No. 3 in the pre-season coaches poll. 

Among the key returning athletes for the Bears include veterans Jake Bosch (MID), Rilind Idrizi (MID), Habib Assem (FWD) and David Chung (MID). 

First year Bears to watch include Prince Amanda and Marcus Velado-Tsegaye, both of whom join the Bears after spending time playing professionally for FC Edmonton. 

The Alberta men went 5-2-7 last fall, eventually losing in the CW Semifinal.



2023 CW MSOC PRE-SEASON COACHES POLL 
Team - Points (First-place votes)

1) UBC Thunderbirds - 142 (10)
2) Mount Royal Cougars – 125 (2)
3) Alberta Golden Bears – 123 (1)
4) Thompson Rivers WolfPack - 102
5) Trinity Western Spartans – 98
6) Calgary Dinos - 85
7) UNBC Timberwolves – 84
8) Saskatchewan Huskies - 70
9) Victoria Vikes - 55
10) Fraser Valley Cascades - 54
11) UBCO Heat – 32
12) MacEwan Griffins - 30
13) Lethbridge Pronghorns - 14
 

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BEARS SEASON PREVIEW

2022 CW regular season record: /5-2-7/ 2nd in Prairie Division
2022 post-season record: /1-2/, Won quarter-final vs UNBC, Lost semifinal vs UBC
Head Coach: Martin Fenger-Andersen (5th year)
 
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2016 / 11
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: 2016 / 5
 
2022 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 22 goals, 7th
Defence: 14 goals against, 4th
 
2022 CW regular season leaders (returning):
Goals: 6 - Habib Assem
Assists: 5 - Jake Bosch
Points: 8 - Habib Assem
Wins: 4 - Chris Ezoua
Shutouts: 3 - Chris Ezoua
 
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Prince Amanda / Forward / 2nd Year / Edmonton, AB / FC Edmonton
Marcus Velado-Tsegaye / Forward / 2nd Year / Edmonton, AB / FC Edmonton
Dylan Marple / Defender / 1st Year / St. Albert, AB
 
Martin Fenger-Andersen: "We are excited to get another CW season underway. CW Soccer is particularly tough given the quality of each program - our key to success will be the hunger in our squad to compete at the highest level and prove ourselves in every game we play." - Martin Andersen

Key Performer: Marcus Velado-Tsegaye

Despite owning one of the best rosters in Canada West in 2022, the Bears were plagued by a lack of scoring at key moments. The Bears scored 1 goal or fewer 10 times last season, including doing so in both the CW Semifinal and bronze medal matches. The 2023 squad, however, is primed to fix those issues. Among those who will lead the offence is first-year Bear Marcus Velado-Tsegaye, who joins the UofA after three years of professional soccer, and a stint with the U20 El Salvador national team.