College Commitments, Athletic/Academic Scholarships
Ottawa, July15,2008
11 Kanata 90 Lightning Players Earn Scholarships to US and
CDN Schools
After an 8 year program, the Kanata 90s Lightning (http://www.kanata90s.com) are nearing the end of their mandate to provide intense training, play top competition and expose players to college and university coaches in the US and Canada. This has included quarter- and semi-final Ontario Cup appearances, an OYSL season, a training/tournament trip to Austria (where they won the Upper Austria Cup), a player assessment at Div 1 side FC Emmen of Holland, 11 US college showcases, several trips to the US to play college teams and numerous other tournament appearances across Ontario.
The emphasis of the program has always been development, whether this meant exposing the players to a long list of qualified guest coaches, playing up an age in league and tournament play or arranging exhibition games against older and better teams. This has paid off handsomely with 11 of the players earning scholarship/financial aid packages estimated to be in excess of $850,000 to pursue their post-secondary education (8 US, 2 New Brunswick, 1 Ontario). The list of players follows in order of commitment date.
The Kanata 90s Lightning team and coaches would also like to thank… the guest coaches who have helped us out over the years by being part of our programs (including Sanjeev Parmar, Eddy Sebrango, Adam Knight, Hubert Busby, Wade Washington, Tyler Rose, David Bellemare and Les Escobar), our generous sponsors and most of all, the team parents.
For player profile click on image • For commitments click on players name.
 Name: Kevan Benn
Position: Central Midfielder
College/University: Union College, NY
Program: Biology/Pre-Med
Started: 2003
Former Clubs: Nepean Hotspurs
Coach’s Quote: “I am very happy to have Kevan Benn as a new member to our program here at Union College. We graduated a two time all region player at defensive midfielder. I expect Kevan to come in and battle for that role from day one.”
Jeff Guinn, Men's Soccer Coach, Union College
Name:  Brendan Gorman
Position: Striker
College/University: St. Lawrence University, NY
Program: Business
Started: 2006
Former Clubs: Gloucester Hornets
Coach’s Quote: "Brendan is a tall, tough striker that loves to compete. He uses his body size well and does a good job finishing. I expect his presence in our program to have an immediate impact."
Bob Durocher, Head Coach, St Lawrence University
Name: de Lobe Lederman
Position: Outside Fullback
College/University: University of New Brunswick
Program: Liberal Arts
Started: 2005
Former Clubs: St. Anthonys, Ottawa Internationals
Coach’s Quote: “The University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds are pleased to have two members of the Kanata club joining us. Rod Ramsden and deLobe Lederman are both capable defenders whose considerable experience with Kanata should help them as they make the jump to university soccer.”
Miles Pinsent, Head Coach, UNB
 Name: Erik Solymar
Position: Goalkeeper
College/University: Bloomsburg University, PA
Program: Communications
Started: 2001
Former Clubs: None
Coach’s Quote: “We are excited that Erik Solymar has chosen to attend Bloomsburg University for both its academic and soccer programs. We believe that he will play an integral role in helping us return to conference and regional recognition and expect that he will contend for the #1 GK spot come August”
Paul Payne, Head Coach, Bloomsburg University, VP of Education and Incoming President NSCAA, US National Academy Coaching Staff
 Name: Alex Campbell
Position: Striker/Outside Midfielder
College/University: SUNY Delhi, NY
Program: Hotel Management & Hospitality
Started: 2002
Former Clubs: Goulbourn
Coach’s Quote: “We are pleased and excited that Alex Campbell has decided to attend SUNY Delhi. Alex is a player who has the potential to make a big impact on our program from day one. His technical ability and work rate should make him one of the top players in our conference.”
Geoff Moore, Head Coach, SUNY Delhi
 Name: Julian White
Position: Central Fullback
College/University: SUNY Delhi, NY
Program: Recreation and Sports Management
Started: 2006
Former Clubs: Capital United, Nepean Hotspurs,
Ontario Prov Program/NTC
Coach’s Quote: We are very pleased that Julian has decided to attend SUNY Delhi to pursue his degree in sports management and be a member of our soccer program. We believe Julian will be an impact player from day one and will give instant credibility to an inconstant back four.
Geoff Moore, Head Coach, SUNY Delhi
 Name: Tyler McCune
Position: Central Midfielder
College/University: St Lawrence University, NY
Program: Economics/ Pre-MBA
Started: 2001
Former Clubs: None
Coach’s Quote: "Tyler has good field vision and makes good decisions. He plays simple and distributes the ball well. I expect Tyler to be a very effective player in our system"
Bob Durocher, Head Coach, St Lawrence University
 Name: Elliott Carter
Position: Outside Midfielder
College/University: Clarkson University, NY
Program: Business Administration
Started: 2003
Former Clubs: Nepean Hotspurs, South Nepean
Coach’s Quote: “I am looking forward to adding Elliott Carter to our program at Clarkson University! He is the type of Student-Athlete that we are looking for; one with a desire to succeed in both the academic and athletic venues. Elliott comes from a Club Program that has exposed their players to quality coaching and competition. It is nice to attract a quality player to Clarkson University from the Ottawa area”
Willi Steinrotter, Head Coach, Clarkson University
 Name: Matt Delich
Position: Central Fullback
College/University: University of Western Ontario, ON
Program: Kinesiology
Started: 2003
Former Clubs: Nepean Hotspurs, South Nepean
Coach’s Quote: “The University of Western Ontario Mustang soccer team and program are very pleased to announce that Matt Delich is attending Western this coming fall. We are looking forward to Matt's contribution as a highly talented and skillful defender. The coaching staff have watched Matt assume a leadership role on and off the field. He has also demonstrated a very strong understanding of team tactics and game awareness. We are confident Matt will make an immediate impact with the Mustangs for the 2008 OUA soccer season.”
Rock Basacco, Head Coach, University of Western Ontario
 Name: Rod Ramsden
Position: Central/Outside Fullback
College/University: University of New Brunswick, NB
Program: History
Started: 2005
Former Clubs: St. Anthonys
Coach’s Quote:The University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds are pleased to have two members of the Kanata club joining us. Rod Ramsden and deLobe Lederman are both capable defenders whose considerable experience with Kanata should help them as they make the jump to university soccer.”
Miles Pinsent, Head Coach, UNB
 Name: Brandon Heembrock
Position: Goalkeeper
College/University: Dominican College, NY
Started: 2007
Former Clubs: Ottawa Fury, OSU, Osgood-Rideau
*Note – Brandon joined the squad for a series of showcases
in the Fall/Winter of 2007. It was during that time that he
was spotted and recruited by Dominican College
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Over the past 24 months, the Lightning have competed in 11 US College showcases and made several trips south to play exhibition games against college and club sides to be observed by university scouts. The players have had the opportunity to play against some of the best teams in the US including State Association and National Club Cup Champions. Kanata players have attended college camps from California to Rhode Island for top schools such as Brown University, Siena College, Colgate and Cal Poly. Several players traveled to the facilities of FC Emmen of the Dutch 1st Division to train, play and be assessed. As a result, 80% of the present players are actively speaking to one or more US and Canadian colleges about combining studies with varsity soccer and several have already made commitments.
The Kanata 89/90 Lightning are always looking for players who are dedicated and serious about progressing to college soccer and/or playing against top competition. The focus of the spring/summer program will be preparation for the Fall college season by playing in the U21 Tier A Division of the ERSL. There will also be trips to the US to play selected Colleges and Universities.
The Kanata 89/90 Lightning philosophy is one that stresses discipline, hard-work and success through teamwork. The team is a showcase squad whose purpose has always been 3 fold:
- To better players through dedicated training
- To offer showcase opportunity and support for those who strive to combine an education with college soccer
- To play against the very best competition possible
Interested players should contact the coach at soccercoach@simplysurf.net for exact tryout information.
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