December 19, 2008
Two more recruits for Eagles
(SURREY, B.C.) The Department of Athletics and Recreation is pleased to announce that Katie Rogers (Surrey) and Colette Coulter (White Rock) have committed to the women's soccer team for the 2009-2010 season.
Rogers, a centre midfielder from the Surrey Breakers Nitro Elite team, comes to the Eagles as a member of the two time provincial champion Surrey Breakers Nitro Elite metro team and three year member of the BC Provincial team.
Rogers will be joined by Colette Coulter, a 5'9 forward from the Semiahmoo Spirit U18 metro team.
Coulter represented the North West Division of the Florida Y league at the 2008 North American Championships and has played two years in the Coastal Y league. Coulter is also an accomplished swimmer, winning provincials two years in a row in breastroke.
December 5, 2008
Semiahmoo Spirit midfielder commits to Eagles for 2009
(SURREY, B.C.) The Department of Athletics and Recreation is pleased to announce that Taylor Sarchet (Surrey) has committed to the Eagles for the 2009-2010 season.
Taylor SarchetOctober 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.
“This was an important weekend for us; even though we had already qualified for the post-season. Playoff positioning was still up for grabs and most importantly, we wanted to head into the playoffs on a positive note,” said Vladimir Samozvanov, head coach.
First-year sensation, Jacquie Rempel (Aldergrove) provided the lone goal of the weekend; moving her into the top 10 in BCCAA scoring and first among the Eagles. On the defensive end, goal keepers Michela Fiorido (Surrey) and Rosemary Kelly (Surrey) split time over the weekend; each recording a shutout.
On the men’s side, the Eagles split a pair of games against the UBC-Okanagan Heat, losing 3-1 on Saturday and winning 1-0 on Sunday. This year’s team, comprised entirely of first-year players, ended the season in fifth place and fell short of a playoff spot by one point.
“As a young team, we faced an uphill battle against teams with more experience. I think their performance showed that the right pieces are in place for next year,” commented head coach Vincent Alvano.
The women will enter playoffs, hosted by Vancouver Island University, as the third place seed and will face-off against the Langara Falcons. The Eagles won the regular season battle versus the Falcons with a 1-0-1 record. The Eagles and Falcons will play on Saturday, October 25th at 12:00pm. To follow the team, visit 2008 BCCAA Soccer Championship.
Kwantlen’s varsity athletics teams are the Kwantlen Eagles. In basketball, soccer, badminton and golf, they compete in national intercollegiate leagues. For more information about the Kwantlen Eagles, visit www.kwantlen.ca/eagles
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.
"It’s exciting to see it all come together," commented Elise Le Brun, director of athletics. “We’re still a very young program. To qualify for playoffs with a team comprising of mostly rookies is a huge accomplishment, and a testament to the hard work and determination by all our of players and coaching staff.”
The Kwantlen’s women’s soccer program entered the BCCAA league in 2004, and have seen continual improvement. In 2007, they bettered their previous record of one win to four wins. In 2008, with a new team of 12 rookies and eight veteran players, the team has a current league record of six wins, four ties and two losses. This is the best performance for the young Kwantlen Polytechnic University women’s soccer team. The team is currently undefeated in the second half of the season.
On the men’s side, the Eagles will have to dig deep and find the momentum that launched them into the spotlight in the first few weeks of league competition in order to beat the UBC Heat in a double-header this upcoming weekend. “We have had to scrape and claw for everything we’ve achieved so far this season and I expect next weekend to be no different,” commented coach Alvano.”
With only two league games remaining, wins are paramount for the men’s team this weekend in order to seal the final playoff spot. Currently, sitting in fifth place in the BCCAA, the men's Eagles are chasing for fourth place, as only the top four teams advance to the playoffs. The women’s team have qualified in fourth position.
The Eagles host the UBC Heat on Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19. For game times and location, visit www.kwantlen.ca/eagles
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.
The Eagles finished the weekend off with a 0-0 draw against Douglas College with Rosemary Kelly (Surrey) in net. The Eagles now have two goal keepers in the BCCAA top five as Kelly earned her second shutout of the season.
The weekend did not prove as successful for the men’s squad as they suffered losses to Langara (2-0) and Douglas (3-0). This result drops the men’s team into fourth place, only one point ahead of Langara College.
Both teams hit the road again this weekend when they travel to the island to take on the Vancouver Island University Mariners and Capilano University Blues. The Mariners are one of the teams chasing the Eagles for that final playoff spot as they trail the women’s team by one point and the men’s team by three.
The Eagles’ next home game will be against the University of British Columbia – Okanagan in a pair of games on Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19. For game times and location, please visit www.kwantlen.ca/eagles.
Photo: Paul Yates, Vancouver Sports Pictures (www.vancouversportspictures.com)
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)
Sept 5, 2008
Kwantlen Eagles university soccer team hits the road for first games of 2008 season
(Surrey, BC)--The Kwantlen Polytechnic University Eagles soccer teams open the 2008 BCCAA season on the road, this weekend in Kamloops and Prince George, with games against the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack and the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves.
The women’s team is combining youth and experience when a recruiting class of ten incoming players joins some returning veteran players. Building on the successes of the 2007 season and adding key recruits, defender Brittany McNeill (Delta), goalkeeper Rosemary Kelly (Surrey) and forward Jackie Rempel (Aldergrove), coach Vladimir Samozvanov is clear about his expectations for this years’ roster. “We have a good combination of returning and new players, and overall the team looks cohesive and balanced. Our first year players realize they need to learn a lot about university soccer, but they are willing to make the step up and to contribute to the team.”
Coach Samozvanov is hoping for big results from returning players including fifth-year defender Shannon Booth (Surrey), third-year defender Sarah Davies (Surrey) and third-year midfielder Rachael Nitschke (North Delta).
Looking to improve upon their sixth place finish from 2007, the Eagles’ will host Vancouver Island University, Capilano University, Thompson Rivers University, University of Northern British Columbia, Langara College, Douglas College and UBC Okanagan during the 2008 season.
Launching into a rebuilding year with new coaches running the bench and eighteen new players wearing the Eagles’ red, the men’s soccer team will take to the field as well this weekend, with games at 2pm (Sat) and 12pm (Sun). Leading the Eagles is new head coach, Vincent Alvano, assistant coach Chris Venditti and second assistant coach, Doug Whitehead.
To view the game schedules and results, visit the team webpage on the Kwantlen Eagles website at: www.kwantlen.ca/eagles