For immediate release

September 16, 2010

Kwantlen Eagles kick off 2010 soccer season

(METRO VANCOUVER, B.C.) After a long hiatus filled with change, both the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Eagles men and women’s soccer teams stepped out onto the new turf stadium at Newton Athletic Park to take on the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) Timberwolves.

Coming into the season as the 2009 B.C. champions, the Eagles women’s soccer team was eager to play the Timberwolves. The game started slow with no scoring although the Eagles had many opportunities to capitalize in the first half. The Eagles got on the board and sealed their 2-0 victory late in the second half with two quick goals from sophomore striker Shanay Sangha (Richmond) followed by another strike within minutes from rookie forward Kathleen Gratz (Surrey).

On the men’s side, the team in red fought hard to stay with the Timberwolves as Eagles rookie striker Gino McLeod (Surrey) scored two goals to tie the game at 2-2 going into half time. In the second half, the Eagles lost a player, and with one man down, the Timberwolves were able to capitalize and finish the match with a 4-2 victory.

Despite the result, head coach Ajit Briach described the men’s performance as “encouraging.” “It was a great first performance for a very young team; we have a lot to learn but showed very encouraging signs for the rest of the season.”

The Eagles will now travel to Prince George to complete the head-to-head contest with the UNBC Timberwolves on Saturday, September 18.

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 or view live webcast, visit kwantlen.ca/eagles or follow the Eagles on Twitter: KwantlenEagles

Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/KwantlenU
Read all Kwantlen news and releases here: kwantlen.ca/news

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Events information:

The next home games will be held on September 25, coinciding with the official grand opening of the new stadium field, and Kwantlen’s Homecoming Day. Fans are welcome to join in the celebration along with many Eagles alumni. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. with speeches from dignitaries including Kwantlen Polytechnic University president David Atkinson, and City of Surrey mayor Dianne Watts. Women’s kick off is at 12:00 p.m. followed immediately by the men’s game at 2:00 p.m.

For more information about this story or the Eagles Athletics program, contact:
Elise Le Brun
Director, Athletics & Recreation
Tel: 604.599.2980
athletics@kwantlen.ca

OR

For more information about Kwantlen, contact:
Joanne Saunders
Director, Marketing and Communications
Tel: 604.599.2243
joanne.saunders@kwantlen.ca