Soccerspecial A Humber College player attempts to defend a Douglas College header in last year's CCAA gold medal game hosted by SAIT in Calgary. 8£N HAMES/SAIT TROJANS PHOTO National soccer returns to Langara Weather no barrier to full roster of games EDITOR JUAN RAMIREZ AND JORDAN COPP_ | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022 | THE VOICE 3 Falcon squad in nigh Spirits Close bonds give Langara mens soccer strong resolve = By NICHOLAS NAYLOR he Langara men’s soccer team is feeling confident for the 2022 Canadian Colle- giate Athletic Association Nation- als, even after a disheartening loss to the Vancouver Island University Mariners. Not even heavy rain- fall could damper the spirits of the Langara Falcons while at their last practice before the Pacific Western Athletic Association finals, with laughter and cheering echoing at the light-hearted practice. Though the Falcons are excited for the CCAA Nationals, coach Marc Rizzardo said they were fully focused on the Oct. 30 PACWEST finals, which they lost 2-0 to the Mariners. Midfielder David Rodri- guez Zegarra said the team is now focused on winning gold at Nation- als, something Langara has not done since 2000. The Falcons swept the PACWEST individual awards this season, with the Falcons winning Join the conversation #CCAAwsc2022 Rizzardo lauded the team’s diver- sity, which includes players from Brazil, Nigeria, Peru and Japan. “They bring in different cultures and different style of play,” said Rizzardo. Both Rodriguez and midfielder Takumi Ota brought up the necessary adaption to Canadian soccer, which is more physical than in many other countries. ‘The team atmosphere has been a large factor in the Falcons’ success this season, something Rizzardo praised. “They go out together, study together, they do lots of things together.” Rizzardo said academic success is important and that he wants players to “maintain a good GPA.” ‘Thompson described the team as a “family.” “Everybody likes each other so much and we all get along,” said Thompson, who thinks the great comrad- ery off the field helps with chemistry on the field. Ota, one of the four Japa- nese players on the team, won the PACWEST player of the year award. “I wouldn't be able to get it without my teammates,” said Ota. Being a student athlete makes life quite busy, as players must focus both on the team and their stud- ies. Thompson said being a student athlete is challenging, though he enjoys representing Langara. Rodri- guez agreed, saying he can only take three courses because of his soccer coach of the commitments. year, rookie of [~ On the field, the year and “No other teams have the Falcons Players ‘a been able to shut us hay eee year, as well as impenetrable four of the 11 down.” in defence, PACWEST — MARCRIZZARDO, FALCON'S COACH with the alllsstare. |[_ _| fewest goals Although the Falcons have been very success- ful this season, they will face stiff competition at Nationals. Rizzardo said the Falcons “can’t afford to have any times where we lose focus.” While the Falcons fell short in the final of this year’s PACWEST finals, they automatically qualify for Nationals as hosts. However, the loss to the Mariners means they will be seeded lower and face difficult competition early in the tournament. conceded in the league. Rookie Noah Holmes has been a stalwart in defence, with a strong ariel presence and assurance on the ball. Rizzardo was quick to praise the attack, which led the league in scor- ing. “No other teams have been able to shut us down,” said Rizzardo. The Falcons play a possession-based game with a strong midfield three. The entire team is excellent on the ball, and they rarely give it away. = By RIVER KERO he Canadian Colle- giate Athletic Associa- tion kicks off the men’s soccer championship this week with eight teams from across the country — all hoping the recent atmospheric rivers, high winds and an unseasonable forecast of snow flurries remain at bay. The national championship kicks off from Nov. 9-12 in Langley, B.C., with defending champion Humber College of Toronto the top favourite. Undefeated this season with 56 goals, the Hawks have won four of the last six national championships. Host Langara College, consis- tently among the top-ranked teams in the CCAA all season, is another favourite, despite losing the PACWEST final to the Vancouver Island University Mariners. Falcons coach Marc Rizzardo is hoping for good weather for the games and is confident in his team’s abilities. “T'm looking for my players to play their best soccer of the season,” he said. “Teams will be very competi- tive. My players are looking forward to the challenge and I'm expecting us to do well.” But the competition is still open, thanks to the tournament format which has what is called a “back- door bronze,” according to Brandon Stone, manager of marketing and sponsorship for the league. This means that even if a team loses its first match, they still have a chance at a medal later on. After the first day, it’s still anyone’s game. “T don't know if I want to make predictions on the teams,” said Stone. “You never know. That's the reason we play the games ... anybody could come out on top.” The games will take place at the Langley Events Centre, start- ing Nov. 9 at 10 a.m. with Holland Hurricanes and the Vancouver Island University Mariners kicking off the play. Next up will be Seneca Sting vs. the Nomades de Montmo- rency. In the afternoon, the Hawks will face off against Les Rouges de Saint-Boniface, and at 5:30 p.m. the Falcons will play the Trojans from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. The energy is high this year, as the teams can participate in social activi- ties that were previously closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “CCAA student athletes will be able to live the full national champi- onships experience this season,” said CEO of the league Sandra Murray- MacDonell in an email to the Voice. “Those that have never been to the west coast will have an opportunity to take in some sights and hospitality during their down time.” Hopefully, snow-free. Stone said one of the things they liked about hosting in British Columbia is that it’s usually “wet rather than snowing.” The CCAA has dealt with snow before, even ploughing the field mid-competi- tion. Langara Falcons midfielder David Rodriguez Zegarra holds the ball during a 2-0 loss to Douglas College in Coquitlam in October. sev Forward PHOTO