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HIGH ACHIEVERS: Stay-At-Home Edition
When you think about Carleton University and its athletic success, the men's basketball team comes to mind first. But not far behind and catching up fast on the Ravens' radar is the men's soccer team. @CURavens @OUAsport @USPORTSca @CPLsoccer
When you think about Carleton University and its athletic success, the men's basketball team comes to mind first. But not far behind and catching up fast on the Ravens' radar is the men's soccer team. @CURavens @OUAsport @USPORTSca @CPLsoccer
For the past four seasons (2016-2019, no 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic), head coach Kwesi Loney has used his time wisely to develop a pennant- and medal-winning team of all-star players during his four years. @CURavens @OUAsport @USPORTSca @CPLsoccer
Let's check out the numbers: three-time OUA East regular-season champs (2017-19); 50 wins, 5 losses, 7 ties; .844 winning percentage; 196 goals for and 35 goals against; 26-2-3 at home; 24-3-4 away; 2019 OUA title; 2018 U Sports bronze. @CURavens @OUAsport @USPORTSca @CPLsoccer
Those stats catch people's attention, like the soccer experts who put together the list of 48 prospects for last Friday's second Canadian Premier League-U Sports Draft for the scheduled 2021 season. @CURavens @OUAsport @USPORTSca @CPLsoccer
The list, compiled by CPL football development scouting and recommendations from U Sports and CPL coaches, had players from 16 Canadian universities. Four schools had five prospects each, including Carleton. Winners get noticed. @CURavens @OUAsport @USPORTSca @CPLsoccer
Two Ravens were first-round selections and another player was a second-round pick in the two-round draft, which earned those players an invitation to a CPL training camp and an opportunity to play at a higher level in Canada. @CURavens @OUAsport @USPORTSca @CPLsoccer
If a player makes a CPL roster, he has the option of signing a U Sports development contract to maintain his university soccer eligibility in the future or sign a full professional contract to further his career. @CURavens @OUAsport @USPORTSca @CPLsoccer
After FC Edmonton took Thomas Gardner as the No. 1 selection, Atletico Ottawa used its first-ever pick in the CPL-U Sports Draft to welcome Cristopher Malekos, a former Ottawa South United player, as the No. 2 pick. @CURavens @OUAsport @USPORTSca @CPLsoccer
Striker Stefan Karajovanovic, who was drafted by York9 FC in 2019, was the seventh pick in the first round by HFX Wanderers of Halifax. Defender Tony Mikhael was taken in the second round, 14th overall by Valour FC. @CURavens @OUAsport @USPORTSca @CPLsoccer
Former Ottawa player Kareem Sow, a University of Montreal sophomore defender, was drafted in the second round, 10th overall by Wanderers. In 2019, he was an @RSEQ1 1st team all-star and helped the Carabins win RSEQ /U Sports titles. @CURavens @OUAsport @USPORTSca @CPLsoccer
"It's extremely exciting. We put a lot of work into training and development and to see three players selected is a great accomplishment," said Loney, the OUA coach of the year the last three seasons and U Sports' top coach in 2019. @CURavens @OUAsport @USPORTSca @CPLsoccer
But Loney also saw two talented Ravens left on the sidelines: Midfielder Dario Conte, a two-time OUA East MVP and three-time all-star, and striker Gabriel Bitar, the OUA MVP and top rookie in 2017 who was drafted in 2019 by Cavalry FC. @CURavens @OUAsport @USPORTSca @CPLsoccer
"You never know when it comes to the draft," Loney added. "It depends on what the clubs are looking for. To get three players selected was fantastic. There are a lot of quality players across the country." @CURavens @OUAsport @USPORTSca @CPLsoccer
A three-time OUA East all-star and a first-team U Sports all-star in 2018, Malekos is recognized as a mature, aggressive and physical defensive player. He is a dominant force in the air and an efficient tackler. @CURavens @OUAsport @USPORTSca @CPLsoccer
Karajovanovic was a main key for the Ravens' best-ever season under Loney in 2019. He scored eight regular-season goals, including four game-winners, and was named an OUA first-team all-star. He's known for his work ethic and consistency. @CURavens @OUAsport @USPORTSca @CPLsoccer
Mikhael, a former Ottawa South United defender, is the youngest of the three Ravens selected in the draft. The 2019 OUA second-team all-star is calm and collected under pressure and shows significant leadership for a young player. @CURavens @OUAsport @USPORTSca @CPLsoccer
Coming up Thursday, Feb. 4, HIGH ACHIEVERS: Stay-At-Home Edition talks to former professional squash player Samantha Cornett, who is entering a new career geared to helping senior citizens. @CornettSamantha @GBCollege @squashcanada
