October 27, 2008
Provincial Bronze medal for Women's Soccer
(SURREY, B.C.) In their first appearance at the British Columbia Colleges’ Athletic Association (BCCAA) soccer provincial championship, the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Eagles won a bronze medal, recording a 1-0 shutout against the defending champions, the Capilano University Blues.
After losing their semi-final the day before to the eventual gold medalists, Langara College (1-0), the Eagles were determined to finish on a high note and make their last game of the season memorable for their graduating players, Shannon Booth and Rachael Nitschke. “We’re in a league that demands a full effort, game-in and game-out. In the playoffs, the intensity and pressure really gets turned up,” commented head coach Vladimir Samozvanov. “These sort of demands forced the team to play at its best all year. In other words, this team was ready to do whatever it took to win.”
The game winning goal came at the 25-minute mark of the first half, when rookie Kelsey Doherty sent the ball soaring over the head of the Blues goalkeeper to the back of the net. After coming back from a concussion suffered in her first league game against TRU, Doherty regained her form and had been chasing her first illusive league goal all season. The Blues forwards had numerous goal scoring opportunities, but were held at bay by the strong defensive team combination of Shannon Booth, Courtney McCulloch, Brittany McNeil and rookie net-minder, Rosemary Kelly. Kelly controlled the net with confidence, directing the team and playing beyond her years in her first season as a Kwantlen Eagle.
For Joan McEachern, former Canadian national team player and six-year assistant coach of the Eagles, winning the bronze medal was a career highlight. “I’ve won many championships as a player, but this is the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had,” reflected McEachern. “To be with a program from the beginning [2003] and accomplish all of this in such a short time is truly amazing.” For a full listing of results, visit the BCCAA website at: www.bccaa.ca.
October 22, 2008
Five Kwantlen Eagles athletes named BCCAA All-Stars
(SURREY, B.C.) The BCCAA announced the 2008-09 Soccer Conference All-Stars today. Among the list of recipients were five Eagles athletes. From the women's team, fifth year defender Shannon Booth (first team), third-year goalkeeper Michela Fiorido (second team), and rookie defender Brittany McNeil (second team). From the men's team, rookie defender Scott Howey (second team) and rookie goalkeeper Michael Newton (second team).
October 21, 2008
Kwantlen Eagles women’s soccer off to BCCAA playoffs
(SURREY, B.C.) For the first time in the history of the program, the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Eagles women’s soccer team has qualified for the British Columbia Colleges' Athletics Association (BCCAA) playoffs. The Eagles finished the regular season with a 1-0 victory and 0-0 draw against the UBC-Okanagan Heat. Full Story
October 17, 2008
Women's soccer clinch first playoff berth in five year history
(SURREY, B.C.) The Kwantlen Polytechnic University Eagles women’s soccer team clinched a berth in their first British Columbia Colleges’ Athletic Association (BCCAA) provincial playoff championships. The women secured their spot with two crucial victories on the road last weekend against the Vancouver Island University Mariners and Capilano Blues, the defending 2007 BCCAA provincial champions.
The Eagles women’s soccer team has played well against the top Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) nationally ranked teams who compete in the BCCAA. They’ve tied Thompson Rivers University (TRU) twice, tied and then defeated the number one ranked Langara College Falcons and shared points with the Capilano Blues with three points apiece. With two games remaining in the regular season, the Eagles are excited about what’s to come. Full story
October 13, 2008
Jacquie Rempel named BCCAA Athlete of the Week
To view official BCCAA press release, click here
October 8, 2008
Eagles knock Langara Falcons from the ranks of the undefeated
(Surrey, BC)--Saturday October 4th marked a historic date for the Kwantlen Eagles women’s soccer team when they knocked the BCCAA's first placed team Langara Falcons from the ranks of the undefeated, and earned their first ever win against them. This result gave the Eagles sole position of the final playoff spot with only four games remaining.
Early on, the weather was a deciding factor as both teams battled against the elements of wind and rain. Facing a strong wind, the Eagles were forced to play a defensive style. Led by the BCCAA’s number one goalkeeper, Michela Fiorido (Surrey), the Eagles played the Falcons to a 0-0 draw in the first half. Turning up the intensity in the second half, the Eagles capitalized on the offensive advantage with the wind that held them in check for the first 45 minutes. Shannon Booth (Surrey), the team’s captain and fifth year player, showed her dominance in the air as she headed home a corner kick of the foot of Marissa Dionne (North Delta) in the game’s 68th minute.
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Photo:
Paul Yates, Vancouver Sports Pictures (www.vancouversportspictures.com)
October 6, 2008
Eagle Soars to P.E.I. & CCAA Golf Nationals
If being a first year student and member of the Eagles golf team wasn’t difficult enough, Michael Lawrence (Richmond) is set to take on the rest of Canada by qualifying to represent Kwantlen Polytechnic University at the 2008 PING Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) Golf open championships in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, October 13-16.
“It feels very rewarding that all my hard work has paid off,” said Lawrence. “I am looking forward to attending the nationals in PEI and am very proud to be able to represent Kwantlen.”
Lawrence, a business administration student, needed to shoot a low number in last weekend’s British Columbia Colleges’ Athletic Association (BCCAA) tournament to qualify for nationals. “Over the past year, I have learned and practiced specific strategies to help me such as only thinking about the present and focusing on one shot at a time. This mental approach is the hardest part of golf.” This new approach has enabled Lawrence to finish seventh overall in the BCCAA individual standings.
The CCAA golf open championship will feature some of the best young golfers in Canada and Lawrence is no stranger to this level of competition. Lawrence finished in 14th place at the 2008 B.C. Junior Boys championship and qualifying for the 2008 Royal Canadian Golf Association Canadian Junior Boys Championships. “I know that I’m in against some tough competitors but golf is an individual game and I just focus on my own game. I’m hoping to place among the top 15 golfers in the country” said Lawrence.
Lawrence attributes his success to “a lot of hard work, many hours of practice, and lots of tournament play over the past couple of years.” With a role model in Sergio Garcia, who is renowned for his work ethic, the future looks bright for this young Eagles golfer. The 2008 PING CCAA Golf Open Championships tee off from October 13 - 16, 2008. Follow Lawrence’s progress via the official tournament website at: www.hollandcollege.com/2008PINGgolf
October 1, 2008
Must-win Games for Eagles Soccer
After a successful weekend of soccer action, the Eagles’ soccer teams, currently holding the final playoff spots, face another set of must-win games as they play host to the Langara Falcons and the Douglas Royals.
The women’s team moved into fourth place with a win over the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) Timberwolves. “It was three points that we absolutely needed to keep in the playoff race” said coach Samozvanov. Adding to their win, the team also earned a hard-fought draw on Saturday against the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack, the league’s number two team. “We changed our tactics (from our first game against TRU) which allowed us to have better ball possession” said Samozvanov. The play of the day was Rachael Nitschke’s (North Delta) goal saving clear with 15 minutes remaining to preserve the tie.
On the men’s side, a spilt against TRU (losing 3-1) and UNBC (winning 1-0) dropped the team to fourth place; however, coach Alvano was pleased with his team’s efforts. “The UNBC game had the intensity of a playoff game so it’s a great experience for the guys as we approach the playoffs.” Looking forward Alvano knows the importance of the upcoming games. “It’s another must-win weekend for us” commented Alvano. “We’ll have to be at our best against Douglas and Langara. This is a league where anybody can beat anyone so we’ll need a complete team effort this weekend.”
The Eagles host Langara College on Saturday, October 4 and Douglas College on Sunday, October 5. For game times and location, please visit www.kwantlen.ca/eagles.
Photo: Paul Yates, Vancouver Sports Pictures (www.vancouversportspictures.com)
September 25, 2008
Eagles Soccer Posed For Playoffs
With a pair of victories over Vancouver Island University (VIU), the Eagles’ soccer teams are posed to earn playoff spots heading into their upcoming matches against the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack and the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves.
The men’s soccer team are currently sitting in third place, one and five points, respectfully, ahead of the Wolfpack and Timberwolves. Having defeated the Timberwolves and earned a draw against the Wolfpack to open the season, coach Alvano expects a couple of hard fought games. “We’re on the return leg of the season and it won’t be as easy as before. Both TRU and UNBC are strong teams and we may have surprised them the first time we squared off.”
Coach Alvano likes where his squad is currently positioned. “Our record shows that we capable of playing with the league’s best. While I’m pleased with the level of effort [against Capilano University], I feel that the best is yet to come from this young team.”
Earning a pair of draws against their upcoming opponents, the Wolfpack and Timberwolves; the women’s team is looking inwards, as they sit three points out of the playoffs. Coach Samozvanov knows the importance of this weekend’s games. “This weekend is a turning point for our season. A couple wins puts us in the driver’s seat and allows us to control our destiny as we approach the playoffs.”
The Eagles host Thompson Rivers University on Saturday, September 27 and University of Northern British Columbia on Sunday, September 28, 2008. For game times and location, please visit www.kwantlen.ca/eagles .
September 18, 2008
Kwantlen Eagles undefeated in first two weeks
(SURREY, B.C.) The Kwantlen Polytechnic University Eagles men's soccer team has continued to turn heads as they remain undefeated in their second week of BCCAA competition, defeating the Langara Falcons (3-2) on Saturday and tying the Douglas Royals (1-1) on Sunday.
At half time in Saturday's game, the Eagles trailed the Falcons 0-1, but early in the second half, Ryan Sidhu (#5) scored the equalizer to even it the score at 1-1. Still celebrating their goal, a momentary lapse from the Eagles resulted in a Langara goal and a 2-1 deficit. But, the resilient Eagles' back line provided the opportunity for Justin Lodge (#18) to score two goals in five minutes to seal the victory in regulation time. Full story
September 17, 2008
Michela Fiorido named BCCAA Athlete of the Week
To view official BCCAA press release, click here
Sept 9, 2008
Eagles soccer kick off a promising season with strong games on the road
(Surrey, B.C.)--The Kwantlen Polytechnic University Eagles soccer teams started their 2008 season campaign on the road with encouraging results. The men’s team locked in a win against the UNBC Timberwolves and tied the 2008 defending provincial champions, the TRU Wolfpack for a total of four league points for the weekend. The women’s team came home with a pair of ties against the Wolfpack (1-1) and Timberwolves (2-2), for a total of two league points for the weekend.
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