Men's Soccer
December 20, 2011
First Men's Soccer Open House Attracts Local Talent
METRO VANCOUVER, BC – (December 20, 2011) – The Kwantlen Polytechnic University Eagles Men’s Soccer Team held their inaugural Open House event at the KPU Surrey Campus on December 19th for prospective student-athletes. The event was an open invite for Grade 11 and 12 student-athletes throughout the metro Vancouver and lower mainland area providing an opportunity to visit Kwantlen and receive information on the institution and for a first-hand experience of the Eagles’ soccer program. Throughout the morning session, the 29 athletes were given brief overviews of the Athletics Department, the Office of New Student Programs, Student Awards and Financial Assistance, the Learning Centre and Peer Coaching areas during the information session of the event. In addition, a number of the current student-athletes spoke about the men’s soccer program and the positive impact it has had on their experience at KPU.
Following the information session and campus tour, the student-athletes participated in an on-field practice and scrimmage at Newton Athletic Park led by the Eagles’ head coach Ajit Braich, assistant coach, Yaw Osei, and a number of current student- athletes. Head Coach Braich commented on the strong interest from this inaugural event, stating, “There was a fantastic response not only from local athletes but athletes from across the Metro Vancouver area. This created a great opportunity [for Kwantlen] to work with local area clubs and schools in the recruitment process. The standard and talent of the athletes’ skills during the on-field session was very pleasing to the entire Eagles coaching staff.”
The 29 athletes were well represented across the Metro Vancouver area with athletes attending from Richmond, Burnaby, Coquitlam, North Delta, and Surrey taking part with the majority being Grade 12 students (22) along with seven Grade 11 students making up the remainder.
December 13, 2011
Men's Soccer to Host Open House
The KPU Department of Athletics & Recreation with the Eagle Men's Soccer Team is hosting an Open House for prospective student-athletes on December 19th, 2011 at the KPU Surrey Campus.All Grade 11 & 12 soccer players and their parents are invited to join head coach Ajit Braich, assistant coaches Yaw Osei and Scott Howley, and the Eagle athletes at this interactive KPU student-athlete information session and about the KPU soccer program. The session will be followed by an athlete training workshop.
Space is limited so please share this with any interested individuals and register the students before December 14, 2011 by visiting http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JJM58L5 or by emailing athletics@kwantlen.ca.
To view the invitation, click here
November 2, 2011
Eagles Fall to the Heat in a Penalty Shootout
Metro Vancouver, BC -- (October 31, 2011) – For the first time since the 2007 season, the Kwantlen Polytechnic University men’s soccer team qualified for the PACWEST Provincial Soccer Championships in Kelowna. Despite playing a sound positional game, the Eagles fell to the host UBC Okanagan Heat 1-0 in a penalty shootout in the opening round of the tournament.
The opening few minutes of the first half started slowly, with a mixture of nerves and cautiousness from both teams leading to a tightly contested opening frame. As the opening half unfolded the Eagles game plan of neutralizing the Heat’s midfielders took to effect. When the half time whistle blew the Eagles left the pitch confident and tied 0-0.
The Eagles came out flying in the second half. Using their speed and quick ball movement to their advantage, the Eagles pressured the Heat defense and forced their keeper to make some outstanding saves. The Eagles used some timely substitutions midway through the second half on their wings to maintain their drive and control of the play. Eagle’s fourth year goalkeeper Tom Johnston (Surrey) made some timely saves off of the Heat counter attack to keep the game even and forcing extra time.
Extra time saw the Eagles play some of the best soccer of the season. First year forward Ricardo Alvarado (Vancouver) struck an excellent ball from inside the 18 yard box that beat the Heat keeper, but could not beat the goalpost. Forwards Marcos Teodoro Da Silva (Burnaby) and Murtada Almatrood (Burnaby) both had chances to bury headers, but unfortunately just sent them over the net.
Even though the Eagles outplayed the Heat in extra time they could not manage to score and the game headed to a shootout. After scoring the first goal in the Eagles could not manage to beat the Heat keeper and lost the shootout 3-1. Eagle’s second year midfielder Lucas Rimmer (Surrey) was named team player of the match for his steady play throughout the game.
“We are disappointed with the outcome of today’s match, however the effort that the players put forward today was amazing” said Eagles head coach Ajit Braich. “The coaching staff prepared the players well, and the players executed the game plan perfectly. This truly was a great team effort.
This season had a lot of positives for the Eagles. Defender Hussein Abu (Vancouver) was named as a PACWEST 1st Team All-star and the team progressively got better as the season unfolded. The Eagles look to continue the momentum of this past season into the upcoming recruiting season and through to next year.
Congratulations to all of the Eagles players and coaching staff. We look forward to another exciting season in 2012.
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