Despite falling short in the PACWEST provincial championship game, the Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) men’s soccer team achieved their main goal and will be playing in Quebec a week from now.
The KPU Eagles dropped a 2-0 decision to the Capilano Blues in the Pacific Western Athletic Conference (PACWEST) final Saturday in Burnaby. In addition to their silver medals, the KPU men earned a trip to the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) national championship tournament in St. Lambert, Quebec Nov. 11-14.
After a strong first half of the PACWEST regular season which saw the Eagles assume first place with a 5-1-2 (win-loss-tie) record, KPU went 0-4-2 in their next six games before winning the season finale.
Kicking off against the Douglas College Royals in Friday’s semifinal match, also in Burnaby, the Eagles upset the first-place team 3-2 in overtime. Mateo Serka netted the winner late in the second extra period, and was named the Player of the Game.
In the final against Capilano, KPU conceded the first goal just six minutes into the game, and the second in injury time.
Just prior to last weekend’s playoff, PACWEST announced their all-star team which included a pair of KPU Eagles. Serka, with five goals in 10 games played, and Nawaf Binsaleh, with four goals scored in 12 games, were among the 11 players on the all-star squad.
Other local players on the all-star team included Douglas College forwards Yassin Essa and Spencer Deboice of Surrey. Deboice was also selected as the tournament’s Top Midfielder.
The Royals placed third, clinching the bronze medal with a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Island University Mariners. Douglas forward Isaac Kyei of Delta was the Player of the Game.
The KPU Eagles women’s soccer team had their season come to an end in Burnaby.
The Eagles placed fourth in the PACWEST standings with a 4-6-5 record. They then lost 2-0 to the first place Douglas College Royals in Friday’s semifinal round. KPU lost by the same 2-0 score in the bronze medal match Saturday against the Quest Kermodes.
South Surrey native Haley Eburne, a midfielder and graduate of Elgin Park Secondary, was the lone Eagle named to the PACWEST women’s all-star team.
A pair of defenders from North Delta, Delview Secondary graduate Olivia Kappeli of the Langara Falcons and Natalie Douglas of the Quest Kermodes, were also selected to the all-star team.