SOC: UBC players headline All-Star teams

Oct. 27, 2023 - With both UBC soccer teams flying high into the postseason, it's no surprise the Thunderbirds were well represented as Canada West announced its men's and women's soccer All-Star and All-Rookie selections on Friday.

Both T-Birds men's and women's sides had five players named All-Stars, with each team sporting three first team selections and two second-team selections.

Each Canada West All-Star and All-Rookie team is comprised of eleven players, including five attackers, five defenders, and a goalkeeper.

The All-Star and All-Rookie announcements come on the cusp of what promises to be an exhilarating weekend of playoff action across the conference. The women's quarterfinal round gets underway to decide who will advance to the final four the following weekend. On the men's side, both quarterfinal and semifinal round action will take place, setting up the Canada West final the following week. ​

The conference's major award recipients will be announced next week.

The complete postseason schedule is available by visiting winthewest.ca.

Women's Soccer All-Star and All-Rookie Teams

UBC fourth-year standout Katalin Tolnai led the way on the women's side after a season that saw her top the conference in points (22) and own a share of the conference lead in goals (14). She was joined on the First All-Star Team by teammates Sarah Rollins and Dakota Beckett.

UBC Okanagan's Stefanie Young earns a First Team All-Star nod after an incredible season where she broke numerous UBCO program records and co-led the conference in goals scored. Trinity Western's Sophie Crowther was also recognized with a spot on the First Team after a terrific offensive season where she finished second in points with 15.

Despite battling adversity in the form of injury, MacEwan's Grace Mwasalla was recognized for her brilliance with a First Team All-Star nod. The dynamic third-year forward scored eight goals in eight games, including a remarkable string of game winning goals to start the season, helping MacEwan finish first in the Prairie Division.

Victoria and MacEwan both had three players named to all-star teams, while Saskatchewan, Trinity Western and Calgary each had a pair of players named. ​

The Dinos were also well represented on the All-Rookie Team with a conference leading three selections in Julia Kittelson, Kaleigh Major and Danica Pullishy. UBC's Sarah Rollins was named to both the All-Rookie Team and the First All-Star Team, a tremendous accolade after an impressive debut season.

Men's Soccer All-Star and All-Rookie Teams

UBC's Sebastian Dzikowski headlines the men's soccer First Team All-Stars after an explosive offensive season where he led the conference in scoring with 15 goals and 19 total points. Defender Eric Lajeunesse and goalkeeper Bennett McKay join Dzikowski as the other T-Birds named to as First Team All-Stars.

Alberta also had five student-athletes honoured as All-Stars, including a pair of First Team defenders in Rodane Cato and Jake Bosch. Prairie Division champion Mount Royal had four players named, including a second-team nod for goalkeeper Aidan Dumoulin, who set a new single-season CW record with 10 shutouts. The Cougars conceded just five goals all season, a team effort led by Dumoulin and First Team All-Star defender Caden Rogozinski.

First year players made an enormous impact conference wide this season, as evidenced by four All-Rookie Team members also being named Second Team All-Stars. That list included Dumoulin, UBC's Brennen Fuerst, University of the Fraser Valley's Kian Proctor, and MacEwan's Phil Masri.

Victoria, UBC, MacEwan and Mount Royal each placed two student-athletes each on the All-Rookie Team.

2023 CW Women's Soccer First Team All-Stars

2023 CW Women's Soccer Second Team All-Stars

2023 CW Women's Soccer All-Rookie Team

CW Men's Soccer First Team All-Stars

CW Men's Soccer Second Team All-Stars

CW Men's Soccer All-Rookie Team

Catch the action on Canada West TV

Don't miss a moment of the Canada West soccer playoffs. All postseason matches will be available exclusively on Canada West TV.