2006-06-30-pr-ms-Leslie-Kambere-whitecaps

TWU Men’s Soccer
Friday, June 30, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Leslie and Kambere Suit-up for Caps
TWU men’s soccer’s Stefan Leslie and Diaz Kambere are current members of the Vancouver Whitecaps

LANGLEY, British Columbia – The upcoming 2006-07 Canada West season for the Trinity Western University men’s soccer team is looking bright as two members of the squad are seeing time with the Vancouver Whitecaps.  DefenderDiaz Kambere (Surrey), who will be entering his fourth year of eligibility next season, and rookie defender Stefan Leslie (Surrey), who has five years of eligibility remaining, have both been honing their skills with the first division United Soccer League (USL) club.

At only 18 years old, Stefan Leslie is the youngest member of the Whitecaps and has shown tremendous talent during his rookie season with the team. Leslie played for the Whitecaps Reserves team last year and earned a spot on the senior team this season following a successful training camp. He has already seen action in five games, including three starts. Most recently, the 5’11” defender was named to Canada’s U-20 team which will play a two game series against the United States on July 7th and 9th.

"When we were recruiting Stefan, we realized the unbelievable level of talent and athletic ability he possessed and that he would almost certainly get the opportunity to play with both our National team program and with the Vancouver Whitecaps. He is going to have a great career and we are certainly enjoying being a part of it,” said TWU Head Coach Al Alderson. “Stefan is such a great person, the success he is experiencing in his soccer career has to do as much with the fantastic person he is off the field as it does with his athletic ability and his talent as a soccer player."

After a solid season with CIS Bronze medalist Spartans the lightening quick Diaz Kambere has moved up from his starting position on the Whitecaps Reserves team to the be a member of the senior club. Diaz got his first start of the season on June 18 against the Charleston Battery in Charleston, SC. He played the full 90 minutes for the Whitecaps in their 1-0 loss.

"Diaz makes a significant impact when he is on the field. When people watch us play, they always notice Diaz.  He is so fast, so smooth, so technically gifted. He can play so tough that he always has a big impact on the outcome of a game.  In our last game against the Canadian National U-20 team, Diaz was the man of the match,” said Alderson. “I can see Diaz playing with that level of confidence and impact at the professional level and am glad we have him here for two more years for our Spartans fans to be able to watch."

The Spartans will begin their defense of the Canada West title with a closed training camp on August 13th. The club will sprint out of the gate, as they get ready for Canada West league play, with road games against NCAA Division II Powerhouse SPU, NCAA Division I Oregon State University (Corvallis), NCAA Division I Gonzaga University (Spokane).

For more information see the Spartans webpage at www.gospartans.ca for dates, times and locations.  For invitation to an open tryout call Coach Alderson at 604-513-2126.

-TW-

Last Updated: 2009-09-03
Author: Scott Stewart
Email: ssstew@twu.ca