Metro Vancouver…..The KPU Eagles Athletics department and men’s soccer Head Coach Srdjan Djekanovic are pleased to announce eleven new recruits to the program for the 2014/15 PACWEST CCAA season.
The KPU Eagles men’s soccer team will return to the pitch with key veteran players to provide experience and offensive power, as well as a strong middle and back line of eager new recruits. Coach Djekanovic is proud of his top-ranked recruitment class for Fall 2014 and sees the investment in these players as being vital to growth and development of the program. “The new recruits will have an impact this year on the field, but more importantly I expect much from them in the upcoming years,” he says, “The majority of these players will form the backbone of KPU's midfield and our defense, and come to us with a varied background of success on the field”.
The recruits come to KPU from clubs with strong reputations within the local soccer community that foster discipline, skills, and success, such as Surrey United, Metro-Ford, Mountain FC, as well as Canada Games and BC Provincial Teams.
Navkaran (Mathew) Bains, 5'10" Midfielder/Defender, Tamanawis Secondary
Mathew comes to KPU with experience from Surrey United; 2012 Canadian National champions, 2013 Provincial Cup champions, 2014 League title, and compete in the 2014 Provincial and National Championships. A midfielder/defender, Mathew is a versatile player who is skillful and comfortable on the ball. Coach Djekanovic is eager to build on this momentum in Mathew’s university career.
Nicholas Baronian 6'1" Striker, Sands Secondary
Nick comes to KPU with experience with the Seattle Sounders' youth academy and one year in PACWEST. He is skilled at reading the play, setting the pace, and positioning himself well in front to open up scoring opportunities for the front. Coach Djekanovic is pleased to add additional offensive power to the program.
Alexander Escobar, 5'10" Striker, McNair Secondary
Alexander comes to KPU with experience as a top scorer with the 2010 U18 champion Richmond United FC. He has great pace, vision and timing. Coach Djekanovic is eager to add Alex’s speed and strong positioning skills to create a fast and dynamic front line.
Trevor Hallam, 6'1", Defender/Midfielder, Dr. Charles Best Secondary
Trevor comes to KPU with three consecutive seasons as a BCSPL Cup champion with Coquitlam Metro Ford FC as well as success in U14 to U16 levels. A versatile player as a fullback or defensive midfielder, Trevor is very skillful and comfortable on the ball. Coach Djekanovic is happy to have added skill to the mid and backfield.
David Hicks, 6'1", Goalkeeper, Clayton Heights Secondary
David Hicks comes to KPU with experience from Mountain United FC and is a 2013 U18 silver medalist in the Premier’s Cup. Coach Djekanovic notes that David is a great young goalkeeper and looks forward to helping him develop his skills at the university level.
Filip Janic 6'1", Goalkeeper, New Westminster Secondary
Filip comes to KPU with experience as an MVP with the Surrey Selects and a silver medal finish at the provincial level with Surrey Whalley. Coach Djekanovic shares that Filip has a great technique, tremendous potential, and he looks forward to the contributions Filip will make to the program.
Sean Kamensek, 6'1", Midfielder, Sands Secondary
Sean comes to KPU with experience from Coastal FC as a very technical player who also is strong on the. He is a versatile player on either of the wings or in the attacking midfield position. Coach Djekanovic notes that Sean possesses great pace and skill, and is eager to see how he develops at the university level.
Obraj Khela 6'1", Defender, New Westminster Secondary
Obraj comes to KPU with experience from Surrey United FC’s youth program. Obraj is one of the best centre backs in his age group, as he persistently and tirelessly battles for the ball. Coach Djekanovic is pleased to have another strong addition to the back line.
Paul Serres, 6'1", Defender, Centennial Secondary
Paul comes to KPU from 2013 National Champions Coquitlam Metro Ford FC. He is a center back with strong leadership skills, and held the role of captain with his U14 and high school programs. Coach Djekanovic sees Paul as a strong addition to the backline as he is a player who battles and commands the team in front of him.
Navraj Thoor, 6'3", Goalkeeper, Fleetwood Park Secondary
Navraj comes to KPU with experience in Surrey United FC and has had success at the provincial level. Coach Djekanovic is pleased to have Nav take his soccer career to the university level and is happy with the growth and progress he has shown as a goalkeeper over the past three seasons.
Justin Turner-Pearce, 6'1", Defender/Striker, Hugh McRoberts Secondary
Justin comes to KPU with experience in Mountain United FC, has National champion with BC Soccer (U14, U15, U16), and represented BC in the 2011 Western Canada Games and the 2013 Canada Summer Games. Coach Djekanovic notes Justin is a very skilled player with great pace that makes him one of the best left backs in his age group.
Coach Djekanovic is enthusiastic and eager for the season to start. “It is going to be a very exciting year”, he states, “a year in which we look forward to working together as a team, enjoy playing alongside our team members, and wear the KPU jersey proudly. I’m excited to see how far our industriousness, work ethic, young defense, and experienced forward line will take us”.
KPU Eagles soccer programs kick off the 2014/15 PACWEST CCAA regular season with a home-opener at Newton Athletic Park on Wednesday, September 3rd; the women’s game begins at 5:00pm and the men’s game begins at 7:00pm.
For more information on the Department of Athletics & Recreation, please contact Junelle Mah, sports information and marketing, at 604-786-0804 or at junelle.mah@kpu.ca.
The KPU Eagles Department of Athletics & Recreation enters its 14th season of interuniversity competition. The Eagles are members of PACWEST conference and play in the Canadian College Athletic Association (CCAA) with 100 student-athletes participating on eight varsity teams in men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, badminton and golf. KPU athletics plays its home games at the Eagles’ Nest (Surrey Campus), Northview Golf & Country Club, Newton Athletic Park, all located in Surrey, BC and the Ace Badminton Centre in Richmond, BC. The Eagles are active in the conference with staff members on various advisory committees and competing to host both provincial and national championships. The student-athletes are mainly from the lower mainland but KPU’s rosters have student-athletes from three continents, North America, Asia and Europe.
Follow the Eagles on Twitter @KPUEagles or visit our website at www.kpu.ca/eagles