VIU vs Langara: Season Openers

Plenty of new faces to face the PACWEST

Mariners midfielder Michael Heppelle battles for the ball with a Langara opponent in 2023
Mariners midfielder Michael Heppelle battles for the ball with a Langara opponent in 2023. Photo: Mary Kessenich
September 6, 2024

NANAIMO – If the Mariners men's soccer squad is going to return to the CCAA national championships, they'll do it on the back of plenty of new names and some legendary leaders. The squad kicks off the 2024 season by hosting the Langara College Falcons (Vancouver, BC).

 When & Where

  • Saturday, September 7 at Beban Park Turf Fields, 3 p.m.
  • Sunday, September 8 at Q'unq'inuqwstuxw Stadium at Nanaimo District Secondary School, 3 p.m.

All VIU soccer games are free to attend. Sunday's game doubles as VIU Soccer Alumni Day with giveaways, prizes, and snacks available for Mariners soccer alumni.

Tune In

Home games will be streamed live on YouTube.

Head-To-Head

The Mariners had their hands full with the Falcons in 2023, as VIU dropped three of four meetings with Langara. A 2-2 tie in September was the only point the Mariners earned out of those four games. However, the Mariners upset the Falcons in the PACWEST conference semifinals, sending the Vancouver squad home and booking VIU a ticket to the CCAA national championships.

Watch Out Now

The most experienced varsity player on the Falcons roster is 4th-year striker Henrique Claros. Iranian midfielder Ali Azarminoo brings professional experience to their squad. 

Head coach Kevin Lindo has plenty of height at his disposal to to put up a Wakesiah wall in front of the VIU 'keepers with 6'5" Louis Goldbrunner, 6'3" Matt Coburn, and 6'0" Thomas Greze-Kozuki patrolling the defensive line.

Fresh Faces & Important Leaders

The VIU roster features more than a dozen new names from last season. Among them is striker Charlie Smith (Squamish, BC), who scored in his Harbourside FC debut this summer. Goalkeepers Mateo Enrich (Canelones, Uruguay) and Cody Carter (Welland, ON) are both making their collegiate debuts. 

Transfers

  • John Kitoko (Toronto, ON) joins the Mariners after spending playing two years in U Sports with the Algoma Thunderbirds in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. 
  • Two student-athletes who played with Providence University College in Manitoba last season have joined the Mariners: Arman Sidhu (Surrey, BC) and Josh Rayner (Johannesburg, South Africa).
  • Nathan Torres (Carbondale, Illinois) heads north after spending two seasons with the Parkland College Cobras.

Fifth Years

Three Mariners will play their final year of varsity eligibility in 2024: defender Matt Coburn (Nanaimo, BC) and midfielders Grayson Chalifoux (Comox, BC) and Michael Heppelle (Kamakura, Japan). 

Brothers in Arms

Marshall and Maxwell Dadzie will both take the pitch for the Mariners this season. Maxwell is suiting up for his second season with the Mariners while Marshall joins the squad for his first year of collegiate eligibility.

For more information, please contact VIU Mariners Communications & Sports Information Coordinator Matt Carter.