Brothers having a ball with Cougars

As the Mount Royal Cougar men’s soccer team prepares for a run at a second consecutive Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) title, the bond between two of its student-athletes is stronger than usual.

Brothers Colby and Caden Sawatzky will start in the midfield this year for the Cougars, and although their styles of play are very different, there is a blend of calm calculation and constant aggression that seems certain to pay dividends this season.


(Caden Sawatzky is looking forward to playing alongside his
brother for the first time as starters.)

Colby Sawatzky is a veteran of the Mount Royal Cougars. Playing in his fifth year of eligibility, Colby knows that his last year of collegiate soccer is the most important one yet.

Now that his brother has claimed a starting position in the midfield, Colby was asked whether there would be any difficulties playing alongside Caden. The oldest Sawatzky was quick to dispel any notion of sibling tension.

“We’re both pretty set in stone as starters, so there’s not a lot of competition there. We really try to back each other up as much as we can,” says Colby.

Finally playing together

Because of the age gap between them (three years), they had never played on the same team while growing up in Okotoks, AB. So last season was the first time the Sawatzky brothers had played on the same club.

While Colby was a veteran player, Caden was just beginning his collegiate soccer career, and this year will be the first time they’ll both see substantial playing time together.

Colby began his post-secondary soccer career at Trinity Western University. After two years at TWU, he felt it just wasn’t the right fit, and decided to make a change.

“I moved back home in the summer of ‘08, and I got a hold of the coach here at Mount Royal – at the time that was Kevin Lockhart – and he’s always been a fan of me, so he [asked] me to come out, and I’ve loved the school ever since,” says Colby.

Colby is the type of player that leads by example. His unrelenting pace and aggressive defence have earned him the respect of his teammates and coaches, and with this being his last year, he feels the need to step up now more than ever.

Goals in the net and otherwise

“For myself...I’d really like to be an MVP... I really see myself as a leader and a captain on this team,” says Colby.

Coach Jamie Pollock has coached both brothers over the last two years, and knows what the older Sawatzky brings to the table.

“One of Colby’s biggest assets is that he works really hard all the time. He’s very mobile, so he gets himself around the field a lot, puts pressure on the opposition.

When he’s playing his best, he plays quickly and doesn’t try to overdo things, and he’s a very, very strong tackler of the ball,” says Pollock.

Caden Sawatzky is three years younger than his big brother.

The younger Sawatzky didn’t see much playing time last year as he learned and developed under the veteran players, but this year he’s found himself a starting job opposite his brother in the Cougars’ midfield rotation.

Caden echoes the sentiments of his brother, in that instead of competing against one another, they support each other in search of a common goal.

“Obviously, making it to Nationals [is the top priority],” says the younger Sawatzky.

While the elder Sawatzky is known for his effort on the tackle, and his mobility in the midfield, the younger Sawatzky sees himself as more of a tactician, and plays the game with a calm, calculating demeanour.

“Colby’s always the one that gets into the tackle, one hundred and ten percent; he’s always the rough and rugged guy. I see myself as more of the playmaker,” says Caden.

From young buck to starter

Coach Pollock discussed the younger Sawatzky and his progression into his starting role.
“Caden played last year, and one of the pleasant surprises this year was his improvement from last year to this year.

He’s gotten physically much stronger and now he’s very strong on the tackle. He keeps the game simple and he’s earned a place on the field regularly.

His first touch is pretty good, and again when he keeps the game simple and plays quickly, good things happen. He’s pretty quiet, but he’s very competitive, he’s [just] not as vocal as his brother is,” says Pollock.

Education and careers?

Off the field, the pair are both interested in the world of business, as Caden is enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration program, while Colby is his final year of the Bachelor of Applied Business and Entrepreneurship — New Venture program and one day hopes to own his own business.

With the team off to a 3-1 start this season, the future looks bright for the Cougars.

A mix of veteran leadership and young talent is certain to bring some excitement to the pitch this year, and the Sawatzky brothers are eager to help their team conquer the ACAC for the second year in a row.

For further info on scheduling or other Cougars teams visit Athletics online. The men’s next action comes in back to back games against Lethbridge on Oct. 3 and 11.