CIS wrap: Eddy Sidra makes his return to the No. 1 ranked U of A lineup

Eddy Sidra made his return in University of Alberta green and gold, as the Golden Bears looked good to hold onto their national No. 1 ranking after two routs of the University of Winnipeg.

Sidra played with the U of A in 2006 (when he was Golden Bears rookie of the year) before heading off to Germany to pursue a professional career with Energie Cottbus. He then became an occasional call-up for the senior national team, with his most recent cap coming May 29, 2010 against Venezuela.

Sidra played the 2011 NASL season with FC Edmonton but did not return for 2012. After being out of the professional game for a calendar year, he was eligible to make his return to collegiate soccer — that’s why he had to wait till this past weekend to get back onto the pitch and couldn’t start the CIS season with the Golden Bears.

The fullback played 45 minutes in Saturday’s 3-0 triumph over Winnipeg, which saw fourth-year man Zenon Markevych get all three goals.

On Sunday, the U of A beat Winnipeg 5-0; Marcus Johnstone scored three, while Sidra played the full 90.

Ex-Eddie Niko Saler is also on the U of A squad.

The Golden Bears are 5-0-0 in Canada West play, 23 goals for, zero against. With the two wins over the weekend, it’s likely that Alberta will keep its No. 1 ranking. But, the jury is still out — simply because the Golden Bears have been fattening up on the minnows of Canada West, and have yet to face a real test.

Circle Oct. 13 on your calendar. That’s when the undefeated UBC Thunderbirds will come to Foote Field in what could very well be a preview of the Canada West final. With FC Edmonton’s season now over, this match should pique the interest of soccer fans in the Alberta capital looking for their weekend footy fix.

UVIC SPIRAL
Two weeks ago, the defending national champion UVic Vikes were No. 1 in the men’s soccer rankings. After two losses last weekend, the Vikes fell out of the Top 10.

Things got even more miserable this past weekend; with a 1-1 draw at Lethbridge and a 3-1 loss to the University of Calgary — punctuated by an early own goal which gave the Dinos the lead — the Vikes are now winless in four.

MONTREAL RIVALRY
The Montreal Carabins’ reign as the No. 1 women’s program in CIS is in jeopardy after it lost its derby match last week to No. 5 McGill.

First-year midfielder Julia Conzon got the 63rd-minute match winner for the Martlets at the Percival Molson Stadium — and it could be enough to send Montreal out of the top spot.

The Carabins did recover with a weekend 4-1 triumph over Laval.