Squamish, BC…..The KPU Eagles men’s soccer team battled hard today in the semi-finals of the 2014 PACWEST Provincials but fell 2-0 to the Douglas College Royals in overtime at Quest University Canada in Squamish, BC. The Eagles’ post-season record is now 0-1 and will face the host Quest Kermodes in the bronze medal match tomorrow.
The Eagles started the tournament ranked third in the conference, and put the number two Royals defenders to work with multiple shots on net. Consistent and strong, the KPU back- and midfielders worked hard to break up the Douglas attacks while second year Eagles goalkeeper Ashbir Paul, Richmond, BC remained solid in net into overtime. Royals first-year forward Jagdeep Purewal, Surrey, BC and first-year defender Brennan Hoffman, Surrey, BC were the goal scorers. KPU’s fifth year midfielder Jacob Starheim, Delta, BC was named ‘Player of the Match’.
This is the first playoff run for second-year KPU head coach Srdjan Djekanovic, and the fifth appearance for the program in its 11-year history. The Eagles last qualified for PACWEST Provincials in 2013/14 and have yet to make an appearance at the CCAA Nationals.
Coach Djekanovic was incredibly pleased with the work his team put forth on the pitch today. “I couldn’t be more proud, this was one of the best games we played all season. We generated a lot of chances but unfortunately we were unable to find the back of net,” he stated, “But still, I couldn’t be more proud. We keep improving with every match. We’re playing for bronze and we want to end on a good note.”
The Eagles 2014 PACWEST Provincial Championship bronze medal match against the Kermodes kicks off at 10:00am tomorrow at Kermode Field at Quest University in Squamish, BC.
Photo Credit: KPU Sports Information
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 the PACWEST conference and play in the Canadian Collegiate 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 included student-athletes from North America, South America, Asia and Europe.
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