By Sports and Lifestyle Editor Cole Schisler
As the Mariners soccer teams wrap up their season and head into provincials, PACWEST has released a list of divisional all stars, as well as player of the year, coach of the year, and their final soccer player of the week.
Six Mariners were named PACWEST All-Stars. From the Men’s team was Victor Blasco with four goals, Mateo Kostering, and Shun Takano with four goals. From the Women’s team was Chloe Gummer with six goals, Rachel Jones with four goals, and Carli Rey with two goals.
Mariners Midfielder Shun Takano was named the PACWEST player of the year for his performances this season.
“It feels unbelievable,” Takano said. “I was very happy when I heard the news, I could not stop smiling after.”
Despite the award, Takano remains focused on his game. “I have to help my team win on Friday so we can gain the National Championship berth. I want us to become PACWEST champions and become the number one team in Canada.”
Mariners goalkeeper Emily Rowbotham was named PACWEST player of the week for her back to back
shutouts over the weekend against the Capilano Blues and the
Quest Kermodes.
“It feels awesome to be recognized at a national level,” Rowbotham said. “I’ve always just visualized and focused on the game, making sure I play my best game against each different opponent. It’s all a team effort though, it feels like our hard work on the field is starting to pay off.”
Like Shun, Emily is also focused on the upcoming provincial championships. “Right now the focus is on our Provincial Semi Final against Langara, it is now the most important game of the season,” she said.
Along with the athletes, Anup Kang, head coach of the Women’s soccer team, was named Coach of the Year for leading the Mariners to a second-place finish in the division.
“It’s an honour to be named Coach of the Year,” Kang said. “PACWEST is such a competitive division with a lot of great coaches.”
Kang takes a relaxed approach toward coaching. He focuses on creating an environment that is conductive to learning and development, both on and off the field. Kang is focused on the future, and hopes to create a Mariners team to play in the Island Women’s League, so that players can further develop their skills.
With an all-star roster and a great season behind them, the Mariners are well positioned for success in the post season.
At the PACWEST provincial championships, the Mariners Women’s team won gold and will head to Nationals in Montreal on November 9.
Cole is a second-year Bachelor of Arts student majoring in creative writing, minoring in political science. He has an interest in all things exciting, mundane, or otherwise. He hopes to one day become an author, actor, comedian, editor, and rapper, while moonlighting as an astronaut.
