All-Star recognition for two UNBC soccer players

For the first time, the UNBC Timberwolves have two athletes named to the Canada West Conference Second All-Star team in men’s soccer.

Midfielder Tofa Fakunle and defender Gordon Hall are among 11 players that earned the honour.

In addition, Hall is the first UNBC player to be named an all-star twice since the Timberwolves joined U-Sports.

Fakunle, a fifth-year from Calgary, led the 5-5-6 Timberwolves in points with seven, including three goals.

“It’s my last year, so to be voted in by the coaches is a good feeling. My teammates push me to try to be better each and every day, and when I’m not bringing my best, they motivate me to be better,” said Fakunle in a team release.

Hall, a fourth-year from Chilliwack, is a premier centre-back who helped the Timberwolves cut their goals against in half this season; 34 in 2016 to 17 in 2017.

He also scored twice, the first goals of his UNBC career.

“It’s nice to be recognized for what you do the pitch. My teammates help me to push further, and our coaching staff, Steve Simonson and Rob Lewis, do an excellent job holding me to a high standard,” said Hall.

The full 2017 Canada West conference all-stars and award winners are as follows:

FIRST ALL-STAR TEAM:

Noah Cunningham – Alberta
Connor James – Alberta
Ajeej Sarkaria – Alberta
Bruno Zebie – Alberta
Bori Falaye – Calgary
Jacob Powell – Saskatchewan
Mitchell Popadynetz – TRU
Elie Gindo – Trinity Western
Bori Falaye – Calgary
Victory Shumbusho – UBC
Hamish Walde – UBCO
Isaac Koch – Victoria

SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM:

Tolu Esan – Alberta
Ajay Khabra – Alberta
Sam Gagne – Calgary
Jeff Blake – MRU
Ryan Glanville – TRU
Finlay McPhie – TRU
Leighton Johnson – Trinity Western
Connor Guilherme – UBC
Mitch McCaw – UBCO
Tofa Fakunle – UNBC
Gordon Hall – UNBC

CANADA WEST AWARDS:

MVP = Mitchell Popadynetz – TRU
Rookie of the Year = Victory Shumbusho – UBC
Coach of the Year = Mike Shearon – Trinity Western
Student-Athlete Community = Tolu Esan – Alberta
Fair Play = Victoria Vikes

WOMEN’S SOCCER

FIRST ALL-STAR TEAM:

Sydney Daines – Alberta
Jamie Pasemko – Alberta
Talia White – Calgary
Leesa Eggum – Saskatchewan
Jennifer Miller – Saskatchewan
Seina Kashima – Trinity Western
Jasmin Dhanda – UBC
Aman Shergill – UBC
Elise Butler – Victoria
Emily Lieuwen – Victoria
Puck Louwes – Victoria

SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM:

Karissa McNutt – Alberta
Lauren Houghton – Calgary
Kayla Kreutzer – Calgary
Montana Leonard – Calgary
Nikki Furukawa – Lethbridge
Quinn Hardstaff – MRU
Brooklyn Tidder – Trinity Western
Amy Gartke – Trinity Western
Karlee Pedersen – UFV
Kiara Kilbey – Victoria
Steph Badilla-Gutierrez – Victoria

CANADA WEST AWARDS:

MVP = Jasmin Dhanda – UBC
Rookie of the Year = Brooke Lang – Alberta
Coach of the Year = Liz Jepsen – Alberta
Student-Athlete Community = Kristen Skruntz – MacEwan
Fair Play = Victoria Vikes / Alberta Pandas