(Photo credit Vancouver Sports Pictures): Kwantlen Eagles repeat 2010 BCCAA Provincial Championship title in Surrey.

 

For immediate release

November 1, 2010

Kwantlen Eagles soar to repeat provincial championship title

(METRO VANCOUVER, B.C.) The Kwantlen Polytechnic University Eagles women’s soccer team successfully defended their provincial title with a 2-0 victory over the Langara Falcons at Newton Athletic Park this weekend in Surrey. The Eagles, who finished their regular season with a best-ever record of (8-3-1), stifled opponents in the tournament with suffocating defense and balanced offense, and took home the gold medal. As the provincial champion, the Eagles will advance to the 2010 CCAA National Championships on November 10 in Edmonton, Alberta.

“Throughout the season, we had balanced scoring; the trend continued this weekend and that depth made us a tough team to stop,” says coach Gordon Smith. “The team got great composure and play from its veteran players along with an injection of energy and timely scoring from the new players. They are confident on their home field and their self-belief was a huge factor in coming out on top against very tough teams.”

Starting early in the tournament, the Eagles outran, outscored and outplayed their opponents. With league all-star and rookie goalkeeper Melina Gomez (North Vancouver) in net, the Eagles outscored their opponents 11 to zero. The North Vancouver resident has been outstanding in net, and shut out all three opponents in the tournament. Upfront, the Eagles benefitted from sharp offensive contributions from a number of players, notably Dominique Lang (Langley), Christina Hendersen (Delta), Shanay Sangha (Richmond) and Marissa Dionne (Delta).

Taking on the Langara Falcons from Vancouver in the gold medal match on Sunday afternoon, the Eagles scored early in the match and held on to the lead. The first goal of the game was scored by Marissa Dionne (Delta) who chipped it over the keeper’s hands in the 6th minute of the game. Dionne later initiated the Eagles’ offense as she made a place kick outside the penalty area, leading to the second goal off a diving header by Tara Makrigiannis of Surrey.

The standout performer for the final match was Meghan Nilsson from Surrey who received the Player of the Game award for her forceful play in the centre of the field.

Tournament recognition was also awarded to the Eagles’ athletes with the awards of Top Defensive Player being given to Eagles captain Brittany McNeill (Delta) and Top Striker awarded to Shanay Sangha, who was also named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

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

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Read all Kwantlen news and releases here: kwantlen.ca/news

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For more information about this story or the Eagles Athletics Program, contact:
Elise Le Brun
Director, Athletics & Recreation
Tel: 604.599.2005
athletics@kwantlen.ca

OR

For more information about Kwantlen, contact:
Shina Boparai
Advancement Officer, Office of Advancement
Tel: 604.599.3158
shina.boparai@kwantlen.ca