Metro Vancouver…..The #12 CCAA nationally-ranked KPU Eagles men’s soccer team seized a win today over the #7 Douglas College Royals at home in Surrey, BC today with a score of 1-0. The Eagles record improves to 3-1-2 in the 2014/15 PACWEST CCAA season, and 1-1 versus the Royals after two of three regular season matches.
The first half saw evenly-matched play between the two teams, mostly in the midfield. KPU created some offensive opportunities that were unsuccessful, but the Eagles kept pushing on. The second half was much more intense and electric for the Eagles. The tides changed in the latter part of the second half. A Douglas goal was called back around the 74th minute due to an offside in the 83rd minute a penalty in the box proved costly for the Royals. Eagles’ fifth-year forward Jacob Starheim, Delta, BC, netted the game-winner past Royals goalkeeper Marc Mincieli, Surrey, BC and the team continued to hold Douglas back for the remainder of the match. KPU goalkeeper Ashbir Paul, Richmond, BC, made several key saves throughout his 90-minutes in net to earn his second-consecutive shut-out of the season.
KPU head coach Djekanovic was happy with the work his team put in today, but hoped for a stronger first half. “I thought we deserved to score in the first half as we created enough chances, but we couldn’t get one in,” noted Djekanovic, “Throughout the match we saw our midfielders and defenders stay composed. Overall it was an excellent team performance today, they have a will and desire to succeed. We have to keep on going and continue to look forward.”
The Eagles take on the Langara College Falcons tomorrow for another home match at Newton Athletic Park. Kick-off is 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.
Photo Credit: Tree Frog Imaging