Paul Ballard - Playing for Whitecaps Reserves

Two-time Canada West First Team All-Star defender and Spartan Men’s Soccer Team captain Paul Ballard is spending his summer playing on the Vancouver Whitecaps Reserves squad. Such an experience will be invaluable as he enters his fifth and final season in Spartan blue and gold, with the goal of leading the team to the national tournament in November etched clearly in his mind.

This past season was his fourth as team captain, a job perfectly suited for his position of central defender. He leads both vocally and by example, with his skillful ballhandling and tough tackles setting the standard for his equally talented teammates. The back line he takes so much pride in once again played a key role in TWU’s second consecutive regular season title, allowing only 9 goals in 12 games (1st in Canada West). On top of his defensive duties, Ballard is also an offensive threat, capable of weaving through numerous tackles down field and scoring in bunches, as shown by his hat-trick performance at Lethbridge back in October.

On top of his conference all-star award, Ballard was also named a Second Team All-Canadian. He and teammate Nick Perugini were the first TWU soccer players to garner All-Canadian honours in the programs’ four year CIS history.

Last Updated: 2008-01-10
Author: Scott Stewart
Email: aestewart@wei.org