Langara Falcons Off-Season Forecast

The Langara Falcons men’s soccer team were the only squad on the outside looking in at the PACWEST playoffs in 2019 finishing 2-8-2. They have retooled and are ready to turn their fortunes around beginning this weekend when they host the Douglas Royals.

What’s New with the Falcons:

The biggest news coming from the Falcons this off-season is where they will play their home games. Their student athletes and coaching staff are very excited to host their games at the most storied pitch in British Columbia; Swangard Stadium. Constructed in 1969 the stadium has housed the Vancouver Whitecaps, the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the Simon Fraser Clan just to name a few.

Key Returners:

Aidan LeBreche – the Burnaby Central grad showed his strong defensive skills in 2019 playing in 11 of the Falcons 12 games. He enters his second season and will be counted on to be a leader defensively.

Sean Salen – he enters his second year of PACWEST competition after playing 11 of the Falcons 12 games in 2019 on the backend.

Aleks Kalajdzic – the veteran keeper enters his fourth season with the Falcons. The Burnaby South grad played 10 games in 2019 with a goals against average of 2.40

What They Needed:

Head coach Marc Rizzardo believes he has recruited well but says, “We are always looking for players to fill all of our needs. We feel we have made some inroads in that aspect.”

The Falcons have several freshman and sophomores that have not played a PACWEST game yet because of the pandemic. They will get their first real test on Saturday when they welcome the defending champion Douglas Royals, a team loaded with returning players from 2019. Then on Sunday the Falcons will climb aboard the ferry and pay a visit to the VIU Mariners.