Metro Vancouver…..Today’s KPU Eagles men’s soccer match versus the Quest University Kermodes came to a draw after an own-goal brought the Eagles lead down to an even 1-1. The Eagles are now 2-1-1 and head to the Island tomorrow to face the VIU Mariners for the final game of the weekend.
The Eagles came out strong, maintaining possession and keeping the majority of the half in front of the Kermodes net. In the 10th minute, first-year KPU forward Justin Turner-Pearce, Richmond, BC, fired one past Quest goalkeeper Taylor Lehnhart, Juneau, AK, to put the Eagles on the board. Turner-Pearce leads all KPU scorers with three goals on the season thus far.
The second half proved to be much tougher for the KPU squad. While the Eagles backline remained strong throughout the match, an own goal in the 55th minute would put Quest back into the game and a scoring stalemate was established for the remainder of the half. First-year goalkeeper David Hicks, Surrey, BC, made a number of tremendous saves for KPU and received great support from the defense. Another KPU stand-out was fifth-year defender Lucas Rimmer, Surrey, BC, due to his focus and confidence while under pressure.
Eagles Head Coach Srdjan Djekanovic saw this as a tough lesson for his team. “It was a hard fought match that got off to a good start. Justin got himself into the right position and scored a great goal for us,” he stated, “The guys did well. It is unfortunate when an own goal puts the other team into a better position, but we look forward to tomorrow’s game and building off of this performance.
The Eagles kick off against the VIU Mariners tomorrow at Merle Logan Field in Nanaimo, BC at 2:00pm. The next home stand for the KPU men is next weekend’s double-header at Newton Athletic Park. KPU takes on the Douglas College Royals on Saturday, September 20 at 2:00pm, and then the Langara College Falcons on Sunday, September 21, also at 2:00pm.
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 the 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 included student-athletes from North America, South America, Asia and Europe.
Follow the Eagles on Twitter @KPUEagles, on Facebook www.facebook.com/kpueagles, or visit our website at www.kpu.ca/eagles.