The final season of Collegiate Soccer for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack has been one to remember. As the WolfPack squads are poised to move to the CIS next fall, they are leaving their mark in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association. First, both TRU teams qualified for their respective National Championships. And now: for the first time in school history, a member of the men’s soccer team has been chosen as Player of the Year. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] Justin Wallace (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Midfielder Justin Wallace (4th year, Kamloops, BC) was named as the recipient of the 2013 CCAA Player of the Year at a banquet in St. John, New Brunswick on Tuesday night (Nov 5). [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] WolfPack co head coach Sean Wallace speaks to Justin at a Kamloops Heat PCSL match this summer[/caption] “I can’t remember a player from Cariboo College, UCC or TRU ever winning this award,” said WolfPack co-head coach Sean Wallace, who is also Justin’s father. “It’s very exciting and a great honor,’ Justin said afterwards. “ There are a lot of great players in this tournament and across the country. It is pretty special honor.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Wallace vs Langara this year (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Wallace led the PACWEST in scoring from start to finish and had 12 goals in 14 matches. When asked for the highlight of the season thus far, he is quick to point to an event where he was lying in a hospital. “When we won the PACWEST title,” he said modestly. “ This is a great individual award but without my teammates and coaches, it wouldn’t have been achievable. They gave me support on and off the field. Their play throughout the year helped make me play the best I can.” “I think he rededicated himself after what happened the last couple of years at SFU,” said Coach and father Wallace referring to Justin returning to his home town to continue his education after playing two years of NCAA Div II with the Clan. “ He wanted to have a great season and he put a lot of work into it.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Wallace vs Capilano (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] The award is bitter sweet for Justin though. He was injured in the PACWEST semi final against Vancouver Island University resulting in a procedure to cauterize his spleen. As a result, he will have to cheer on his teammates this week rather than take to the field. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Wallace vs VIU (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] “I would trade all the individual honors in order to be out there this week with them trying to win a National title,” he said. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Wallace with the ball vs Langara (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] “There’s no question that Justin’s performance had a strong impact on his team,” says Jim Loughlin, CCAA men’s soccer convenor. “He’s got an impressive scoring record in a strong conference, especially as a midfield player.” The other nominees were Julius Abegar of the Red Deer Kings, Julio Moncada Bogran of the Champlain St. Lambert Cavaliers, Abraham Kamara of the Algonquin Thunder and Mackenzie Tamblyn of the UNB-Saint John Seawolves. CCAA Players of the Year receive a customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring Supplier of the CCAA national championship awards banquet. Wallace and teammate Oriol Torres (3rd year, forward, Barcelona, Spain) were named to the CCAA 2013 All-Canadian Team at the banquet as well. This is what the All-Canadian Squad looked like: Each student-athlete is selected by their conference based on their performance and contribution to both their sport and team. Julius Abegar, Red Deer Kings The 2013 ACAC Player of the Year is a perfect example to young players. He reads the game extremely well, carries himself with professionalism, and is always respectful of opponents and officials. His team finished first in Alberta’s South Division. Yoann Fellrath, Élans de Garneau The RSEQ All-Star member is also the league’s best scorer, racking up 18 goals and ranking first in the CCAA individual stats. His experience on the pitch makes him a real team leader both on and off the pitch. Abraham Kamara, Algonquin Thunder The Thunder were undefeated in the OCAA East division, where Kamara earned three game-winning goals. The OCAA Player of the Year is a standout on the team not only for his control of the ball but for his discipline and sportsmanship. Javid Khan, Douglas Royals The former PACWEST Athlete of the Week and three-time PACWEST All-Star is a true competitor both on and off the field. The forward is ranked on the CCAA’s individual scoring stats and helped his team earn a wildcard to the CCAA national championship. Nicholas Lindsay, Sheridan Bruins Lindsay is a striker on Ontario’s top-scoring team. The Bruins conceded only four goals while scoring 26; 11 came from Lindsay and as a result he won the OCAA’s golden boot award. Yet despite his high-quality performance on the pitch, he is an even higher-quality individual when he steps off it. Ryan Matowe, MacEwan Griffins The MacEwan Griffins finished first in the competitive ACAC North division thanks in part to Matowe’s 11 goals in 10 games. Impressed by the fact he’s already broken the ACAC record for goals in consecutive games? Then consider the fact that the striker is still a first-year rookie. Julio Moncada Bogran, Champlain St. Lambert Cavaliers The conference All-Star and RSEQ Player of the Year has not only racked up impressive stats in scoring and assists, but is also the top academic student-athlete on his squad. His team spent time on top of the CCAA national rankings and finished the season undefeated Mario Orestano, Humber Hawks After a one-year absence, this veteran returned to Humber and instantly re-established himself as the most complete player on the squad. He was just named to the OCAA All-Star team for the third year in a row, and his team is first seed at the 2013 CCAA Men’s Soccer National Championship. Mackenzie Tamblyn, UNB-Saint John Seawolves The ACAA Player of the Year and member of the ACAA First All-Conference team is also the league’s top scorer with 14 goals in 12 games. Not only does he work hard on the field, he’s also committed to training, academics, and volunteering. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Oriol Torres vs Kwantlen (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Oriol Torres, TRU WolfPack The former PACWEST Player of the Week is one of the WolfPack’s top offensive threats. He scored 10 goals in the regular season and is eager to play for a CCAA national title. The TRU WolfPack are seeded in second place. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="357"] Wallace (Allen Douglas photo)[/caption] Justin Wallace, TRU WolfPack Wallace is described as the PACWEST league’s most exciting player. Ranked fourth in Canada for scoring, the 2013 PACWEST Player of the Year got so many past the post this season the goal line was nicknamed ‘his office.’ The WolfPack begin play at the 2013 CCAA Men’s Soccer Nationals Wednesday, November 6th at 10 am ADT against the Mount Vincent University Mystics, the ACAA champions. (with help from CCAA Communications)