Seven Heat teams in action this week including, from left to right, men's basketball, women's basketball, women's volleyball, men's rugby, men's cross country, women's cross country and women's soccer

General 10/22/2025 4:31:00 PM Natalie Tsang

HEAT THIS WEEK: Basketball opens 2025-26 season at home; three other teams in postseason action

Heat basketball teams start season against TRU before travelling to Prince George while women's soccer, cross country, and men's rugby all compete in playoff action

KELOWNA, B.C. - As the fall season moves indoors, the action is heating up for the Heat this week as the men's and women's basketball teams open their 2025-26 regular season on Friday with a pair of home games against Thompson Rivers, before heading to Prince George for a Sunday matchup against UNBC.

On the road, three teams are competing in post-season play as men's and women's cross country will race in the Canada West Championships in Victoria, B.C., while men's rugby competes in the Prairies U Championship in Edmonton. Women's soccer begins their 2025 playoff run with a Canada West quarter-final against Mount Royal in Calgary. Finally, women's volleyball starts their regular season in Regina.

HOME
Men's Basketball
October 24th vs TRU Wolfpack - 5:30 p.m. - UBCO Gymnasium
Tickets - GoHeat.ca/Tickets
Webcast - CanadaWest.tv presented by BioSteel

Men's basketball is back in action inside The Furnace this weekend, opening their 2025-26 season at home against the Thompson Rivers WolfPack. Head Coach Clayton Pottinger will rely on key returning athletes Jalen Shirley, Isaak Moore, and Lamine Conde to lead a roster that features 12 new faces. Following a challenging preseason against some tough OUA opponents, the Heat are fueled as they look to secure their first win of the season against the WolfPack. The team will then hit the road for a matchup with the UNBC Timberwolves in Prince George on Sunday, October 26.

Women's Basketball
October 24th vs TRU Wolfpack - 7:30 p.m. - UBCO Gymnasium
Tickets - GoHeat.ca/Tickets
Webcast - CanadaWest.tv presented by BioSteel

Like the men, the women's basketball team will also tip off their 2025-26 season against the Thompson Rivers WolfPack at home on Friday night, before travelling to Prince George for a Sunday matchup with the UNBC Timberwolves.

UBCO wrapped up their preseason last week with a hard-fought 63-61 loss to the Calgary Dinos at home. First-year forward Sydney Lewis made an immediate impact off the bench, leading all scorers with 18 points and eight rebounds. Kanani Coon added 12 points and four rebounds, while Tsuki Tsuzuki posted 10 points and four rebounds, two other key returners the Heat will rely on as they take the court this weekend.

AWAY
Women's Volleyball
October 24th at Regina Cougars - 5:00 p.m. (PT) - Regina, Sask.
October 25th at Regina Cougars - 5:00 p.m. (PT) - Regina, Sask.
Webcast - CanadaWest.tv presented by BioSteel

Women's volleyball opens their regular season with a doubleheader on Friday and Saturday against the Regina Cougars in Regina, Sask., before their home opener next week. History is on the Heat's side against the Cougars, having won seven straight games against Regina, and the team will be aiming to start the season off with a win on the road.

Head Coach Steve Manuel will rely on a mix of veterans and new players, led by senior middles Natalie Funk and Madison Gardner, setter Kylan Finseth, and junior middle Marija Josipovic, who will also be one to watch this season.

Men's Rugby
October 25th at Calgary Dinos - 11:00 a.m. (PT) - Edmonton, Alta.
October 26th at TBD - Edmonton, Alta.

Men's Rugby is on the road this weekend to compete in the Prairies U Championship in Edmonton, Alberta. The Heat will face the Calgary Dinos in the semifinals, followed by a bronze or gold medal match on Sunday.

Coming off another undefeated regular season (5-0), the men will look to defeat the Dinos once again, after a 21-17 win the last time the teams met. Last weekend, the men closed out the season with a huge 54-0 home victory over Mount Royal, fueling confidence as they head into the playoffs.

Cross Country
October 25th at Canada West Championship - 12:00 p.m. - Victoria, B.C. - Women
October 25th at Canada West Championship - 1:00 p.m. - Victoria, B.C. - Men

Both UBCO cross country teams travel to Victoria, B.C., this weekend to compete in the Canada West Championship races.

The women's team has risen in the U SPORTS rankings, now tied for ninth in the Top 10 alongside the Guelph Gryphons. With the third-highest ranking in the conference, the women are well-positioned to contend for a spot on the podium. Lauren McNeil will be one to look our for, having established herself as a strong title contender after winning the Western Canadian Challenge a few weeks ago. Meanwhile, the men will be led by fourth-year Owen Lloyd as they look for a strong performance against the best in Canada West.

Women's Soccer
October 25th at Mount Royal Cougars - 12:00 p.m. (PT) - Calgary, Alta.
Webcast - CanadaWest.tv presented by BioSteel

Women's Soccer hits the road this weekend for postseason play, taking on the Mount Royal Cougars in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Canada West Playoffs.

The Heat (6-5-3) come off a strong Presidents' Cup weekend, posting a 2-1 win and a 0-0 tie over TRU, extending their five-game unbeaten streak and setting a good tone heading into the playoffs. The team will lean on veteran leadership and freshman Maria Georgacacos, who has had an impressive first season, leading the team with four goals.

This will be the first meeting of the season against Mount Royal (10-3-1). Conference history between the two teams is evenly split at 2-2-2, ensuring an intense match-up. The Heat will be aiming for a road victory as they seek redemption after falling short in last year's quarter-finals and aim to secure their first appearance in the Canada West Final Four.

Men's Basketball
October 26th at. UNBC Timberwolves - 2:00 p.m. - Prince George, B.C.
Webcast - CanadaWest.tv presented by BioSteel

Women's Basketball
October 26th at. UNBC Timberwolves - 4:00 p.m. - Prince George, B.C.
Webcast - CanadaWest.tv presented by BioSteel

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Players Mentioned

#16 Maria Georgacacos: MF; 5' 7"; Freshman; 1st Year

#4 Tsuki Tsuzuki: G; 5' 6"; Sophomore; 2nd Year

#14 Kanani Coon: G; 6' 2"; Junior; 3rd Year

#17 Sydney Lewis: F; 6' 0"; Sophomore; 1st Year

Owen Lloyd: 6' 2"; Senior; 4th Year

Lauren McNeil: 5' 1"; Sixth Year; 3rd Year

#4 Marija Josipovic: M; 6' 1"; Junior; 3rd Year

#7 Kylan Finseth: S; 5' 9"; Senior; 4th Year

#8 Madison Gardner: M; 6' 3"; Fifth Year; 4th Year

#20 Natalie Funk: M; 6' 3"; Sixth Year; 5th Year

#3 Isaak Moore: G; 6' 3"; Junior; 3rd Year

#10 Jalen Shirley: G; 6' 0"; Fifth Year; 5th Year

Players Mentioned

#16 Maria Georgacacos
: 5' 7"; Freshman; 1st Year
: MF

#4 Tsuki Tsuzuki
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; 2nd Year
: G

#14 Kanani Coon
: 6' 2"; Junior; 3rd Year
: G

#17 Sydney Lewis
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; 1st Year
: F

Owen Lloyd
: 6' 2"; Senior; 4th Year

Lauren McNeil
: 5' 1"; Sixth Year; 3rd Year

#4 Marija Josipovic
: 6' 1"; Junior; 3rd Year
: M

#7 Kylan Finseth
: 5' 9"; Senior; 4th Year
: S

#8 Madison Gardner
: 6' 3"; Fifth Year; 4th Year
: M

#20 Natalie Funk
: 6' 3"; Sixth Year; 5th Year
: M

#3 Isaak Moore
: 6' 3"; Junior; 3rd Year
: G

#10 Jalen Shirley
: 6' 0"; Fifth Year; 5th Year
: G