Men's Soccer

Team roster | Team schedule/results | Statistics | Team staff

Back Row (L - R): Stephen Ellis (Assistant Coach), Roberto Pena (Assistant Coach), Mohammed Hasoon, Michael Santos, Graeme Thomson, Jad Virk, Gerson Charmell, David Thalheimer, Brandon Czymoch, Ashton Walker, Jeff Blake, Andrew Walker, Jamie Pollock (Coach) and Alanna Burke (Trainer).

Front Row (L - R): Brent Anderson, Josh Buchanan, John Cherkas, Sean Colvin, Alan Miller, Jamie MacDonald, Tom Clancy, John McDonald, Caden Sawatzky, Kyle Gimenez, Graeme Thomson, Josh Doiron and Sean Burchill

ACAC championship history (13)

1990 -1991	1991 -1992	1992 -1993
1993 -1994	1994 -1995	1995 -1996
1996 -1997	1997 -1998	1999 -2000
2003 -2004	2004 -2005	2007-2008
2009-2010

CCAA championship history (3)

1993-1994

1996-1997

2003-2004

Season outlook 2011-12

The 2011-12 season will be the last for the Mount Royal Cougars as part of the ACAC. The Cougar men’s soccer team will make the jump to Canada West next year, leaving behind a legacy that includes 13 ACAC titles over the last 20 years.

After finishing 8-1-1 in the 2010-11 season, the Cougars looked to be on track for a 14th championship title, but came up just short, losing in the semi-finals and settling for a bronze medal.

The philosophy this year will remain the same, and behind second year head coach Jamie Pollock (CCAA Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year) the Cougars will be a defence-oriented team that looks as solid at the back as ever. Veterans Jamie MacDonald, Josh Buchanan and Graham Thomson comprise the core of the defense, and former Cougar John Cherkas will return to Mount Royal this year to help bolster one of the ACAC’s strongest defensive units.

The Cougars will give up some firepower up front this year as they try to make up for the loss of star forwards Lane Forsythe and Arthur Paznowski. As a result, the Cougars will have to rely on a more consistent approach on the front end, and will need bigger contributions out of veterans like Alan Miller, Brandan Czymoch and Josh Doiron. Striker Sean Colvin, who played for the U of A Golden Bears in 2009-10 before deciding to transfer to Mount Royal, should add an extra spark on the offensive end.

The midfield looks promising this season for the Cougars, with the return of veterans Caden Sawatzky, Miller and Brent Anderson. Prized recruit Jeff Blake will help bolster the middle of the field for the Cougars this year after playing for U-18 provincial champions Southwest United last season. Fullback Sean Burchill, who actually helped coach the Cougars last season, will be relied upon for leadership and organization on the pitch.

David Thalheimer will be the Cougars’ starting goalkeeper this season, and will look to build on an impressive 2010-11 campaign in which he posted a stellar 1.00 goals against average after starting approximately half of the team’s games.

This season should test the mettle of Pollock and his squad, and it’s still undetermined who will be the one to step up on the offensive end. But with a solid midfield, formidable defense and a rising star in net, the Cougars are a dedicated bunch who should once again contend for top spot in the South division.