LANGLEY, British Columbia – The Trinity Western Spartans open the Canada West season as the No. 2-ranked team according to the Canada West preseason coaches' poll. The Spartans kick off the season Friday night at 5 p.m. when they host the No. 11-ranked Fraser Valley Cascades, then follow up Saturday at 5 p.m. against the No. 1-ranked UBC Thunderbirds. Both matches can be seen live on Canada West TV for free as the CW free game of the week.
The Spartans are looking to make another postseason run and improve on last season's Canada West silver medal and U SPORTS bronze medal. TWU will be led by returning Canada West All-stars
Sophie Crowther,
Emily Watchman, U SPORTS tournament all-star
Rhianna MacDonald, returning goal-scoring leader
Mansha Sidhu, and fifth-year keeper
Yasmine Pahal.
2026 CW Women's Soccer Coaches Poll
- UBC Thunderbirds - 210 (14)
- Trinity Western Spartans - 186
- Calgary Dinos - 182
- Victoria Vikes - 159
- Mount Royal Cougars - 158
- MacEwan Griffins - 144 (1)
- Saskatchewan Huskies - 135
- UBCO Heat - 124
- Thompson Rivers WolfPack - 108
- Alberta Pandas - 99
- Fraser Valley Cascades - 75
- Regina Cougars - 66
- Manitoba Bisons - 56
- UNBC Timberwolves - 52
- Lethbridge Pronghorns - 31
From the coach: "The key to TWU's success and progress this year will be the return of some key injuries to core players which will add to the depth and overall level, as well as the integration of some very good young rookies. With many of the core returners back and more mature and rested, the Spartans will have a deeper and more balanced squad than last year and there is a good hunger about the group to continue improving and staying hungry." -
Graham Roxburgh
Key Performer: Sophie Crowther
?Forward | 5th Year | New Westminster, B.C.
Sophie has turned not only into one of the more dangerous attacking players at the university level across Canada, but has also been an incredible leader in the last year. She is looking to build off an incredible 2025 season in which she scored six goals and added 13 assists.
About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby and women's and men's disc golf. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 15 U SPORTS team championships and 35 Canada West team championships.
About Trinity Western University
Recognized for quality, TWU has received seven consecutive A+ rankings for Quality of Teaching and Learning, holds three Canada Research Chairs, and wins national championships in CIS sports. More importantly, lives are changed at TWU through its whole-person, Christ-centred approach to education. With a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree-completion programs, TWU equips leaders of character and competence to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
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