UBC Dubbed Favorites in Canada West Coaches’ Poll
The following story is from August 22, 2022 can be found on the Canada West website complete with links to the season previews of each team https://canadawest.org/news/2022/8/17/general-msoc2-ubc-dubbed-favourites-in-coaches-poll.aspx.
CALGARY – With the action-packed Canada West men’s soccer season set to kick off Friday, coaches from across the conference have hedged their bets on this year’s winner.
The four-time reigning champs, UBC Thunderbirds, came out atop the coaches’ poll as the favourites again in 2022. After going 4-2-6 in the regular season last year, the T-Birds knocked off Mount Royal and Victoria in the final four to collect their fourth straight title.
The Mount Royal Cougars are hungry to avenge that semifinal loss after finishing last season with the conference’s top win percentage. They finished second in the coaches’ poll and will be looking for their first-ever Canada West banner.
Rounding out the top three is the Alberta Golden Bears, who will rely on the defensive prowess of the league’s leading goaltender from 2021 and some new recruits to guide them back to golden status for the first time since 2016.
For a school-by-school break down, click on the team names below.
The Pacific Division opens play Friday night as the Trinity Western Spartans travel to the University of Northern British Columbia and the UBCO Heat host Victoria. The defending champs, UBC, will head to Thompson Rivers University.
Prairie teams will join in Saturday, with five games on tap. For the full men’s soccer schedule, click here
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2022 CW MSOC PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Team – Points (First-place votes)
- UBC Thunderbirds – 143 (11)
- Mount Royal Cougars – 127 (1)
- Alberta Golden Bears – 105
- Trinity Western Spartans – 103
- Thompson Rivers WolfPack– 101
- Calgary Dinos – 92
- Victoria Vikes – 73 (1)
- Saskatchewan Huskies – 71
- Fraser Valley Cascades – 64
- Northern British Columbia Timberwolves – 54
- UBCO Heat – 36
- MacEwan Griffins – 33
- Lethbridge Pronghorns – 12
NOTE: Coaches ranked all opponents 1-15. First-place votes worth 15 points, second-place worth 14 points etc.
2022 TEAM PREVIEWS
- Pacific Division
- Prairie Division
UBC THUNDERBIRDS
2021 CW regular season record: 4-2-6, 2nd in West Division
2021 Post-season record: 3-0, CW Champions
Head Coach: Mike Mosher (27th season) / 201-55-63
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2021 / 21st
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: 2013 / 13th
2021 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 20 goals, 2nd
Defence: 18 goals against, 10th
2021 CW regular season leaders (returning):
Goals: 6 – Tristan Nkoghe, F
Assists: 3 – Logan Chung, M
Points: 6 – Tristan Nkoghe, F
Wins: 4 – Bennett McKay
Shutouts: 4 – Bennett McKay
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Asvin Chauhan / M / 1 / Coquitlam, B.C. / Vancouver Whitecaps Academy
Eric Lajeunesse / D / 1 / Ottawa, Ont. / Vancouver Whitecaps Academy
Jordano Pinto / M / 2 / Vancouver, B.C. / Thompson Rivers University
Joshua Tomé / D / 1 / Surrey, B.C. / Vancouver Whitecaps Academy
Michael Weiland / D / 1 / Squamish, B.C. / Mountain United FC
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Mackenzie Cole / F / Victoria, B.C. / 5
Riley Pang / D / Richmond, B.C. / 4
Key performer (pictured above):
Tristan Nkoghe / F / 4 / Sherbrooke, Que.
2021 Stats: 6 Goals / 0 Assists / 6 Points
Tied for the third most goals in the shortened 2021 season, Nkoghe led UBC with six tallies in his first season with the blue and gold, adding another goal at the U SPORTS National Championship. The Sherbrooke, Quebec product played in all 17 UBC regular season and playoff contests last year, on multiple occasions providing key offence and leadership both on and off the pitch.
UBC OKANAGAN HEAT
2021 CW regular season record: 2-6-4 (7th Pacific)
2021 post-season record: N/A
Head Coach: Dante Zanatta – 12th season/41-59-38 regular season record
Last CW championship / total CW championships: N/A
Last CIS championship / total CIS championships: N/A
2021 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 8 goals for (12th)
Defence: 15 goals against (6th)
2021 CW regular season leaders:
Goals: 3 – Owen Spicker (Forward)
Assists: 2 – Aidan Tuck (Midfielder)
Points: 3 – Owen Spicker (Forward), Aidan Tuck (Midfielder)
Wins: 2 – Nicholas Rietsma (Goalkeeper)
Shutouts: 3 – Nicholas Rietsma (Goalkeeper)
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Braeden Hildebrant/Forward/1/Los Angeles, Cali./Britton Fram 03
Julian Pascual/Defender/1/Pessac, France/ Gran Pena Espanyolista Manigua
Ronan Woodroffe/Goalkeeper/1/Kelowna, B.C./St. Andrew’s College
Nicholas Lechelt/Midfielder/1/Edmonton, Alta./BTB Soccer Academy
Carter Brown/Defender/Chilliwack, B.C./Coastal FC
Matteo Bigattini/Forward/1/Kelowna, B.C./Thompson Okanagan FC
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Nicholas Reitsma/Goalkeeper/Kelowna, B.C./6
Sam McDonald/Defender/Kelowna, B.C./5
Jimmy Steel/Midfielder/Salt Spring Island, B.C./5
Aaron Mulama/Defender/Abbotsford, B.C./5
Key performer (pictured above):
Name: Malachi Emerson
Position: Midfielder
Eligibility Year: 2
Hometown: Surrey, B.C.
2021 Stats: 7 GP, 7 GS, 0 G, 1 A, 1 P
Emerson returns to the Heat for his second year after establishing himself as a starter in his rookie campaign. Despite missing five games due to injury a season ago, Emerson led the team in shots on goal and was second in shot attempts. His presence and ball skills in the middle of the pitch will be leaned upon by head coach Dante Zannatta as the Heat look to take a step forward in 2022.
FRASER VALLEY CASCADES
2021 CW regular season record: 4-3-5, 3rd in West Division
2021 post-season record: 1-2-0, Eliminated in Canada West Final Four
Head Coach: Tom Lowndes, 8th season / 34-36-19 Career CW reg. season record
Last CW championship / total CW championships: N/A
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: N/A
2021 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 17 goals, 7th
Defence: 21 goals against, 5th
2021 CW regular season leaders (returning):
Goals: 4 – Taylor Richardson, F
Assists: 5 –Trevor Zanatta, M
Points: 8 – Trevor Zanatta, M
Wins: 5 – Jackson Cowx, GK
Shutouts: 2 – Jackson Cowx, GK
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Nicolas Burret / D / 1st year / Bad Dürkheim, GER / VfR Wormatia Worms
Ivan Mejia Yepes / F / 1st year / New Westminster, BC / Tigres FC Premier
Jayden Bassra / M / 1st year / North Delta, BC / Coastal FC
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Ryan Donald / D / Surrey, BC / 6
David Parfett / M / Abbotsford, BC / 5
Tobias Spiess / D / Nuremberg, GER / 1
Key performer (pictured above):
Trevor Zanatta
Midfield
4th year
Coquitlam, BC
2021 Stats: 15 Games Played / 3 Goals / 5 Assists / 8 Points
A Canada West first-team all-star in 2021, the UFV Cascades will be hoping Trevor Zanatta can repeat his fine form in 2022. The fourth-year player looks to build on an excellent 2021 Canada West campaign, where his sparkling performances saw him lead the Cascades in both points and assists, while also managing to notch four assists in one game to mark a new Canada West single-game record. He is sure to be a focal point for the Cascades’ attack once again this season.
UNBC TIMBERWOLVES
2021 CW regular season record: 2-5-5, 6th position in Pacific
Head Coach: Steve Simonson, 8th season / 22-44-22
Last CW championship / total CW championships: N/A
Last CIS championship / total U SPORTS championships: N/A
2021 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 16 GF, 8th
Defence: 19 GA, 8th
2021 CW regular season leaders(returning):
Goals: 3 – Michael Henman, F
Assists: 6 – Kensho Ando, M
Points: 7 – Kensho Ando, F
Wins: 2 – Daniel Zadravec, GK
Shutouts: 1 – Daniel Zadravec, GK
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Kayden Miner, D, 1, Victoria, Victoria Highlanders FC
Hagon Kim, S, 1, Ilsan, South Korea, Yeongdeungpo Tech
Max Muellerleile, F, 1, Chaing Mai, Thailand, VI Wave
Charlie Stewart, W, 1, Metchosin, VI Wave
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Owen Stewart, F, Prince George, 5
Hussein Behery, W, Cairo, Egypt, 3
Stu Rowlands, S, Chilliwack, 4
Alex Nielson, M, Prince George, 6
Key performer (pictured above):
Kensho Ando, M, 3, Tokyo, Japan
2021 Stats: 1 G, 6 A, 7 P
Kensho Ando has quickly developed a reputation as one of the best players in all of Canada West, frustrating opponents with his ability to defend at one end of the pitch and generate offence at the other. The 2021 Canada West assists leader, Ando was top-five in the conference in points, while leading all players in tackles. The Tokyo product will lead the UNBC charge this season for coach Steve Simonson.
THOMPSON RIVERS WOLFPACK
2021 CW regular season record: 4-3-5, t-3rd West Division
2021 post-season record: 0-1, lost in quarter-final
Head Coach: John Antulov,9th season / Career CW reg. season record 33-40-25
Last CW championship / total CW championships: N/A
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: N/A
2021 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 10 goals, 11th
Defence: 10 goals against, 3rd
2021 CW regular season leaders (returning):
Goals: 2 – Dylan Hooper, Forward & Mikkel Rosenlund, Defence
Assists: 3 – Marco Favaro, Midfield
Points: 3 – Marco Favaro, Midfield & Ryan Lewis, Midfield & Mikkel Rosenlund, Defence
Wins: 4 – Jackson Gardner, Goalie
Shutouts: 3 – Jackson Gardner, Goalie
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Alesandro Comita / Midfield / 1st year / Kamloops, BC / Whitecaps MLS U-19
Elijah Dos Santos / Defence / 1st year / Coquitlam, BC / Whitecaps Academy
Ante Grgic / Midfield / 1st year / Surrey, BC / Dinamo Zagreb U-18
Kyle Hansen / Forward / 1st year / Burnaby, BC / Columbus FC
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
James Fraser / Forward / Penticton, BC / 4
Key performer (pictured above):
Jan Pirretas Glasmacher
Defence
5th Year
Barcelona, ESP
2021 Stats: 12 GP / 12 GS / 5 Shots
One of the most decorated student-athletes in TRU WolfPack history, Jan Pirretas Glasmacher will lead the way for the ‘Pack once again in what will be his fifth and final season with the program. A product of Barcelona, Pirretas is the spine at the centre of a WolfPack defence that allowed just 10 goals in 12 Canada West regular season games last year.
TRINITY WESTERN SPARTANS
2021 CW regular season record: 3-3-6, 5th in Pacific Division
2021 CW post-season record: DNQ
Head coach: Mike Shearon (6th) / 46-32-16 (Career CW reg. season record)
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2007 / 3
2021 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 17 goals, 6th in CW
Defence: 17 goals against, 7th in CW
2021 CW regular season leaders:
Goals: 5 – Christian Rossi, F
Assists: 4 – Tristan Torresan, M
Points: 11 – Christian Rossi, F
Wins: 1 – Alexander Cordeiro, GK
Shutouts: 1 – Alexander Cordeiro, GK
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Joey Seo / M / 2nd year / Langford, B.C. / Belmont / York
Keishean Francois / F / 1st year / White Rock, B.C. / Whitecaps Academy
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Sebastian Colyn / GK / Langley, BC / 4 years
Jacob Low / M/F / Port Moody, BC / 5 years
Gordon Grice / M / Burnaby, BC / 4 years
Key performer (pictured above):
Christian Rossi
Forward
Second year
Surrey, BC
2021 stats: 5 goals / 1 assist / 11 points
After a rookie season which saw him take home both Canada West, and U SPORTS Rookie of the Year honours, Christian Rossi is back with the Spartans, bringing even more experience and poise to the table. With a summer played between League 1 BC, and the CPL’s York United, Rossi, along with the rest of TWU’s budding roster, will certainly be looking to move on from the learning experience which was their 2021 Canada West campaign. With his blistering pace, impeccable finishing skills, and ability to swing in deadly crosses, Christian Rossi could certainly make waves once again.
VICTORIA VIKES
2021 CW regular season record: 6-3-3, 1st in Pacific Division
2021 post-season record: 3-3 (2-1 CanWest playoffs, 1-2 U SPORTS), 2nd (CanWest Runner-ups)
Head Coach: Larry Stefanek / 1st season / No CW record
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2009 / 15
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: 2011 / 5
2021 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 17 goals, T-3rd
Defence: 11 goals against, 5th
2021 CW regular season leaders(returning):
Goals: 3- Javier Sagaste, Midfielder
Assists: 2 – Hamish Ogden, Midfielder
Points: 3 – Javier Sagaste, Midfielder
Wins: 8 – Harjot Nijjar, Goalkeeper
Shutouts: 6 – Harjot Nijjar, Goalkeeper
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Sam McDonald / Defender / 5 / Kelowna, B.C. / UBCO
Alex Moody / Midfielder / 1 / Kelowna, B.C. / Okanagan FC
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Isaac Koch / Forward / West Kelowna, B.C. / 5
Evan Libke / Defender / North Vancouver, B.C. / 5
Key performer (pictured above):
Harjot Nijjar
Goalkeeper
Fourth
Surrey, B.C.
2021 Stats: 8 Wins / 6 Shutouts / 48 Saves / .91 GAA
Following a 2021 campaign which saw the Vikes advance to the Canada West Championship finals for the first time since 2015 and claim a berth to the U SPORTS Championships, Harjot Nijjar returns for his fourth season between the pipes for the Vikes. The team’s leader in wins (8), shutouts (6), and saves (48) in 2021, Nijjar’s experience will be key in transitioning new players into new roles following the loss of key members of the 2021 team as well as building on the success of the 2021 season.
ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS
2021 CW regular season record: /4-1-5/, 2nd in Central Division
2021 post-season record: /0-1/, Quarter-Final loss
Head Coach: Martin Fenger-Andersen (4th season) / 9-7-8 Career CW reg. season record
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2016 / 11
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: 2016 / 5
2021 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 11 goals, 10th
Defence: 4 goals against, 1st
2021 CW regular season leaders (returning):
Goals: 1 – Rilind Idrizzi, Midfield
Assists: 1 – Jake Bosch, Midfield
Points: 1 – Jake Bosch, Midfield / Rilind Idrizzi, Midfield
Wins: 4 – Liam Collens, Goalkeeper
Shutouts: 6 – Liam Collens, Goalkeeper
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Habib Assem / Striker / 1 / Edmonton, AB / SW Sting
Thomas Hope / Midfield / 1 / Edmonton, AB / Victoria Highlanders
Mahdi Hammoud / Striker / 1 / Edmonton, AB / SV09 Arnstadt
Joel Martins-Correia / Centre Back / 1 / Edmonton, AB / Internazionale Soccer Club
Juan Rea / Fullback / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / Luciana FC
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Ajeej Sarkaria / Forward / Edmonton, AB / 4
Noah Cunningham / Defence / St. Albert, AB / 5
Matthew Miki / Midfield / North Vancouver, BC / 4
Carlos Patino / Midfield / Tulua, Columbia / 1
Key performer (pictured above):
Liam Collens
Goalkeeper
Third-Year
Calgary, AB
2021 Stats: 4-1-5 / 6 shutouts / 0.40 GAA / 0.915 Save Percentage
Coming off a stellar sophomore season, one in which he led Canada West in fewest goals against average, third-year Bears keeper Liam Collens will once again be counted upon to carry the load in 2022.
With veteran offensive players such as CW all-time scoring leader Ajeej Sarkaria graduating from the program, the Bears defence will need to be as stellar was it was in 2021.
Collens, a Calgary product, also led CW in both shutouts, with six, and save percentage last season (.915), his first as a full-time starter.
CALGARY DINOS
2021 CW regular season record: 4-2-4, 3rd in Central Division
2021 post-season record: 0-1, Lost in quarter-final
Head Coach: Brendan O’Connell (7th Season) / Career CW reg. season record 41-27-12
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 1980 / 1
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: N/A
2021 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 16 goals, 8th in CW
Defence: 10 goals against, 2nd in CW
2021 CW regular season leaders (returning):
Goals: 3 – Derek Brust, F
Assists: 3 – Derek Brust, F
Points: 9 – Derek Brust, F
Wins: 4 – Jake Ruschkowski, G
Shutouts: 4 – Jake Ruschkowski, G
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Victor Gouttin / D / 1 / Calgary, Alta. / Calgary Blizzard
William Omoreniye / M/D / 1 / Calgary, Alta. / Calgary Foothills
Joey Plenzik / M / 1 / Calgary, Alta.
Milan Ponjevic / D / 1 / Calgary, Alta.
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Gareth Smith-Doyle / F / Calgary, Alta. / 1
Adam Huskic / D / Cazin, Bosnia and Herzegovina / 5
William Fiore / D / Rome, Italy / 4
Key performer (pictured above):
Jake Ruschkowski
Goalkeeper
4th Year
Calgary, Alta.
2021 Stats: (11 Games Played/Starts / 9 Goals Against / 0.86 GAA / 4 Shutouts / 4-2-4
The Dinos got a massive boost for this fall with the return of two-time U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian Jake Ruschkowski. The top goalkeeper in Canada West last season surrendered just nine goals all year for an incredible goals-against average. After contending with some of the top teams in the conference in 2021, Ruschkowski will look to lead the Dinos back to the top of the table and a return to the U SPORTS championships in his final season of eligibility.
LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS
2021 CW regular season record: /0-8-2/, 6th Central Division
2021 post-season record: Did not qualify
Head Coach: Davin Haigh 1st Season / 0-0-0
Last CW championship / total CW championships: N/A
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: N/A
2021 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 6 goals, 13th
Defence: 26 goals against, 12th
2021 CW regular season leaders (returning):
Goals: 2 – Karim Bey, MF, Will Hughes, MF
Assists: 2 – Tom Denness, Defence
Points: 3 – Karim Bey, MF
Wins: N/A
Shutouts: N/A
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Tegan Romaine / Goalkeeper/ 1st year/ Abbotsford, AB/ Coquitlam Metro-Ford
Magnus Engleson / Fullback / 1st Year / Kamloops, BC/ Thompson Okanagan FC
Cole Jackson / Striker/ 1st Year/ Kamloops, BC / Thompson Okanagan Fc
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Nolan French / Goalkeeper / Calgary, AB / 5 years
Jitse Van den Handelkamp / Forward / Sundre, AB / 5 years
Landon Veluw / Midfield / Lethbridge, AB / 3 years
Key performer (pictured above):
Name: Karim Bey
Position: Centre Midfield
Year: 2nd year
Hometown: Calgary, AB
2021 Stats: 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points
Second-year central midfielder Karim Bey will be a key to the Pronghorns possession philosophy this season. A season ago, Bey tied for the team lead in goals and points. Bey’s ability to process the technical aspects of the game and his work rate will bring balance to the team from the centre of the field. From his midfield position, Bey will be counted on to link the team between offence and defence.
MACEWAN GRIFFINS
2021 CW regular season record: 4-4-2, 4th Central
2021 post-season record: 0-1 / Lost in QF
Head Coach: Adam Loga / 7th season / 12-43-14
Last CW championship / total CW championships: N/A
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: N/A
2021 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 18 goals, 4th
Defence: 35 goals against, 13th
2021 CW regular season leaders (returning):
Goals: 4 – Rakan Yassin, F
Assists: 2 – Joseph Abrahart, D, Michael Ho, D, Rakan Yassin,
Points: 5 – Rakan Yassin, F
Wins: 3 – Josh Stayko, GK
Shutouts: 3 – Josh Stayko, GK
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Ousman Maheshe / F / 1 / Goma, Congo / FC Edmonton
Egzon Jetishi / M / 1 / Edmonton, AB / BTB Academy
Tommy Millar / F / 1 / Langley, BC / Fusion FC
Ethan Monaghan / F / 1 / Calgary, AB / Victoria Highlanders
Ali Blaybel / F / 1 / Edmonton, AB / BTB Academy
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Alvin Mazaheri / F / Copenhagen, DEN / 1
Ali Yildiz / F / Edmonton, AB / 1
Key performer (pictured above):
Chance Carter
Midfielder
2
Edmonton, AB
2021 Stats: (0 goals / 0 assists / 0 Pts)
The former FC Edmonton player was a force for the Griffins in his rookie campaign in 2021.
Moved out of position to play centre-back, he logged top-five minutes on the team and helped lead the Griffins to the Canada West playoffs for the first time.
In MacEwan’s opening round quarter-final match at Victoria, Carter got a chance to show his offensive prowess, scoring the game-tying goal that sent the match to overtime before the Vikes prevailed.
The central midfielder is again set to bring a pro-level standard to a Griffins team looking to return to the Canada West post-season in 2022.
MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS
2021 CW regular season record: /-/, position 6-1-3, 1st in the Central Division
2021 post-season record: /-/, playoff finish 2-1-0, 3rd overall, Bronze at Canada West
Head Coach (Include headshot): # season / Career CW reg. season record
Ryan Gyaki, (attach headshot): 8th season, 43-28-16
Last CW championship / total CW championships: Year / # N/A
Last CIS championship / total CIS championships: Year / # N/A
2021 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: # goals, rank 31, 2nd overall
Defence: # goals against, rank 11, 11th overall
2021 CW regular season leaders (returning):
Goals: # – Name, Position
- 9 goals, Mohamed El Gandour, Forward
- 6 goals, David Schaefer, Forward
Assists: # – Name, Position
- 6 assists, Niklas Liebich, Forward
- 3 assists, Mohamed El Gandour, Forward
- 3 assists, Hafiz Mahjor, Midfield
Points: # – Name, Position
- 11 points, Mohamed El Gandour, Forward
- 8 points, David Schaefer, Forward
Wins: # – Name, Position
- 5 wins, Sterling Kerr, Goalkeeper
Shutouts: # – Name, Position
- 4 shutouts, Sterling Kerr, Goalkeeper
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Alex Kemsley / Defense / Somerset, UK / Clevedon Town
Tom Wessell / Defense / Keyano Huskies / Leipzig, Germany
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Justin Anderson-Louch / Midfield / Calgary, AB / 5
Dane Domic / Midfield / Calgary, AB / 2
Key performer (pictured above):
Moe El Gandour
Forward
4
Calgary, AB
2021 stats: 9 goals, 3 assists
Moe El Gandour was a key component to the MRU men’s soccer success last season and will continue to be a dominant leader for the Cougars and among Canada West competition. El Gandour led Canada West in scoring with eight goals for his hometown Cougars and led the conference in points with 8 goals and three assists. To cap off his incredible season, El Gandour was named the 2021 Canada West men’s soccer Player of the Year and nominated to the U SPORTS First All-Canadian team.
In the postseason, El Gandour assisted his team in capturing bronze at the Canada West men’s soccer Final Four with a bicycle goal against the University of Fraser Valley Cascades and will look for a repeat and improved performance this upcoming season.
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES
2021 CW regular season record: 3-5-2, 5th in Central Division
2021 post-season record: Did not qualify
Head Coach: Bryce Chapman 18th season / 90-97-43 (CW career regular season record)
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2014 / 1
Last CIS championship / total CIS championships: N/A
2021 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 17 goals, T5 in Canada West
Defence: 15 goals against, 5th in Canada West
2021 CW regular season leaders(returning):
Goals: 4 – Kuhle Bekwayo, M
Assists: 3 – Aaron Hidalgo-Mazzei, D
Points: 5 – Kuhle Bekwayo, M
Wins: 2 – Henry Bremer, GK
Shutouts: 3 – Henry Bremer, GK
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
- Diego Reveco / M/F / 3 / Winnipeg, MB / FC Manitoba
- Ethan Cabral / M / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / FC Manitoba
- Sergio Molina / D / 1 / Garson, MB / FC Manitoba
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
- Tobias Hyrich-Krueger / M / Winnipeg, MB / 5
- Kwame Opoku-Addai / M / Calgary, AB / 5
- Zach Edwards / D / Saskatoon, SK / 5
Key performer (pictured above):
Name: Diego Reveco
Position: M/F
Year: 1
Hometown: Winnipeg, MB
The Huskies will be looking to build upon there 2021 campaign in hopes of getting back into the playoffs in 2022. They’ll be looking at veterans Ekior-Dourde Mieyefa, Ajani Fountaine, Kuhle Bekwayo, Fraser McLeod and Ahmed Mohammad to lead the way. New addition Diego Reveco will bring more firepower to the Huskie attack after playing professionally in Italy for the last three years. The Huskies get their season underway on August 27 when they face the Lethbridge Pronghorns in Family/Alumni Weekend at Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park.