First-year Simon Fraser University men’s soccer head coach Clint Schneider introduced his first recruiting class with a distinctively British Columbian flavor.
The 2015 recruiting class features seven new players from British Columbia, with individuals hailing from North Vancouver, Port Moody, Anmore, Surrey, Victoria, and Penticton.
Schneider also added two international athletes, one from Sweden and another from South Africa, who is transferring from the University of Alabama at Birmingham
“We worked very hard targeting this group to make sure that they fit our team's culture,” said Schneider. “We have a great group of returning players and adding these incoming freshmen will enable us to compete for championships straight away.”
SFU is Canada's only university competing in NCAA, and since joining Division II in 2010, the Clan has compiled a win-loss-draw record of 85-12-6 with two Final Four appearances in the NCAA national championship tournament (2012 and 2013).
In 2011 the Clan was ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Div. II national polls but the university was ineligible for post-season play.
Last season, SFU made its third consecutive national post-season tournament appearance and finished with an 11-5-2 record. The team was eliminated in the first round of the national tournament. Six players from that squad have graduated.
All of the incoming recruits are freshmen with the exception of goalkeeper Miguel Hof (Cape Town, South Africa), who is transferring to SFU for his senior season from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, which played in the 2014 NCAA Div. 1 tournament.
“There are a lot of highly skilled and competitive players being developed right here in B.C., so I’m always talking to coaches and keeping my eyes open around Lower Mainland pitches, looking for players who will fit our program,” said Schneider. “I’m thrilled to be adding seven players from this province.”
The 2015 SFU recruiting class (in alphabetical order)
Cole Basarich (Surrey)
High School: Elgin Park Secondary
Position: Centre-back
Height: 6-2 Weight: 185-lbs
Athletic Accomplishments: Canadian National Club Champions (2013); B.C. provincial club champions (2012 and 2013); MVP of the 2012 B.C. provincial final; Winner of 2014 Nike Crossfire
Dzenan Bezdrob (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
High School: Sutherland Secondary
Position: Forward
Height: 5-9 Weight: 152-lbs
Athletic Accomplishments: Golden Boot winner at U18 Canadian nationals (2014); B.C. provincial high school champion (2013); B.C. provincial high school finalist (2014)
Jeff Cadman (Anmore)
High School: Archbishop Carney Regional Secondary
Position: Centre-back/Defensive Midfielder
Height: 5-10 Weight: 160-lbs
James Fraser (Penticton)
High School: Penticton Secondary
Position: Striker
Height: 6-2 Weight: 180-lbs
Athletic Accomplishments: netted 16 goals in 24 games for under-19 SBV Excelsior Rotterdam in Holland
Miguel Hof (Cape Town, South Africa)
School: University of Alabama at Birmingham (Transfer)
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-2 Weight: 185-lbs
Last School: UAB
Athletic Accomplishments: Represented South Africa at u-17 in COSASSA Ball games held in Zwaziland
Linus Hogback (Lidkoping, Sweden)
High School: De La Gardiegymnasiet
Position: Fullback
Height: 6-0 Weight: 176-lbs
Athletic Accomplishments: Won u-19 Vastergotland championship; u-17 district all-star team.
Kyle Jones (Port Moody)
High School: Charles Best Secondary
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Height: 5-5 Weight: 130-lbs
Athletic Accomplishments: Member of Vancouver Whitecaps Residency program; Brother Adam is a midfielder for the Clan
Brendan Shaw (North Vancouver)
High School: Argyle Secondary School
Position: Centre-back/Defensive Midfielder
Height: 6-2 Weight: 160-lbs
Athletic Accomplishments: Member of the Portland Timbers u-18 and u-23 teams. U-13 to u-16 participated in B.C. provincial team/National Training Centre West; Bronze Medal u--18 Canadian national championships; u-15 B.C. Premier Cup champion; u-15 and u-16 BCSPL League Cup champion
Keevan Webb (Victoria)
High School: Belmont Senior Secondary
Position: Centre Midfielder
Height: 6-2 Weight: 185-lbs
Last School: Peninsula College
Athletic Accomplishments: 2014 West Division all-star team at Peninsula College
