Tigers men’s soccer coach Pat Nearing is pleased to announce the addition of Alex Knesaurek and Connor Kudeba to the lineup this fall.
A 6’3 centre-back, Alex Knesaurek has spent the past three years making his mark in the Ontario Youth Soccer League with his team, the Markham Soccer Club. An offensive threat, Knesaurek has racked up 15 goals in his past three seasons. In his 2015-16 season, he helped lead his team to an Ontario Indoor Soccer League Championship followed by a second-place national ranking in the 2016 season and a top five finish in 2017.
In 2017, Knesaurek’s team saw undeniable tournament success, earning runner-up in the Ontario Cup, the Ontario Youth Soccer League, and the Potomac Tournament.
Knesaurek has been a key player on the Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute’s varsity team in Toronto, for the past four years. In his 2014-15 season, he and his team were named Toronto East Regional Champions. Knesaurek has earned the varsity soccer MVP title twice in his four-year career with the squad.
“I am extremely excited and honoured to be part of a long-standing tradition,” says Knesaurek. “I look forward to building new relationships and giving it my all on the field.”
An honour roll student, Knesaurek was awarded highest grade honours for the institute’s physical education program for three of his four years. Alex will pursue a Bachelor of Commerce this coming fall at Dalhousie.
“Alex is an experienced player and student, coming to us from one of the top club programs in Canada,” says Nearing. “He is an excellent athlete and has spent the last few years developing under top soccer coaching and competing at the highest level. We expect him to make an immediate impact to our program.”
Joining him on the pitch this fall is midfielder Ottawa, Ont. native, Connor Kudeba.
A 5’8 midfielder, Connor Kudeba has played five years with the GES Academy in Niagara in addition to a year with both the OSU Force Academy and West Collegiate Prep.
“I’m very excited to become a part of the Dalhousie Tigers,” says Kudeba. “I’m looking forward to playing under Coach Nearing and in building a strong relationship with my teammates.”
An honour roll student, Kudeba will begin his pursuit of degree in kinesiology this fall.
“I’m looking forward to working with Connor,” says Nearing. “He is an athletic, dedicated soccer player with the right attitude to make a difference in our team.”
The Tigers finished the 2017-18 season with a 4-6-2 record and will host the Saint Mary’s Huskies on September 7 to open the 2018-19 season.