Fraser Valley (Dan Kinvig) – Men’s Soccer: Cascades add seven local recruits
The University of the Fraser Valley men’s soccer team has reloaded its roster in advance of the 2022 Canada West season, signing seven local standouts.
Defenders Carson Muter and Ry Mackie, midfielders Jayden Bassra, Tyler Sayers, Gurjivan Ark and Sehaj Bajwa, and forward Mateo Brazinha join an ascendant Cascades program which is coming off its second Canada West Final Four appearance in three seasons.
“This group brings a variety of qualities that allow us to be deeper in multiple positions, which allows us to have stability and depth,” UFV head coach Tom Lowndes said. “They have an opportunity to come in and compete for playing time right away. Their work rate as a group and individuals is really, really high, and they all fit the mould that we look for in a student-athlete for our soccer program.”
Carson Muter
6’0” centre back, Surrey, B.C.
Surrey United
Elgin Park Secondary
Muter’s much-decorated youth soccer career picked up momentum early, as he won a provincial U13 championship with Surrey United. He went on to earn a spot with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC residency program (2018-19), and was a long-term member of the B.C. provincial team (2017-21), serving as captain for multiple years.
“Carson’s a quality athlete,” Lowndes enthused. “He’s spent time with the Whitecaps residency program, and he’s a physical centre back who can play with his feet. He leads from the back, he’s physical, and he’s a real presence. We’re happy to land someone of his quality, and he has an opportunity to come in an compete to play big minutes next fall.”
“I feel this is a great environment for me to excel both in the classroom and on the soccer pitch,” said Muter, who plans to major in business at UFV. “I admire the team’s work ethic and determination to work together to continually improve. I have played for Coach Tom before and like his coaching style and ability to bring the best out of his players.”
Jayden Bassra
6’0” winger/attacking midfielder, North Delta, B.C.
Coastal FC
Delview Secondary
Bassra began his youth soccer career with Surrey FC Metro, and has spent the last four seasons excelling at Coastal FC. He, like Muter, is a fixture with B.C.’s provincial program, having suited up for Team B.C. since 2019. Other soccer highlights include participating with Team India at the 2021 Nations Cup, and training with Portuguese professional club Portimonense SC’s U19 squad last summer.
“Jayden’s biggest attribute is his versatility,” Lowndes said. “He can play central or wide. He’s a really good attacking piece. He gets forward, and can create and finish opportunities. He’s a dynamic player, and that’s something we were looking to add this year. He has a chance to contribute early in his career.”
“I chose UFV because I believe it is the best place for me to grow as an athlete and achieve my goals as a student,” said Bassra, who will pursue a business administration degree at UFV. “My dream is to win a championship with the Cascades.”
Mateo Brazinha
5’9” forward, Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Coquitlam Metro Ford
Riverside Secondary
Brazinha is a pure goal-scorer who has led his teams in scoring, both in club and school soccer, frequently throughout his career. On the club scene, he won a provincial title at the Metro level with Port Coquitlam in 2018, and he helped his current club, Coquitlam Metro Ford, finish second in the BC Soccer Premier League in 2021. He also led his Riverside Rapids squad to a pair of district titles along with a fourth-place finish at high school provincials last year, and was the top goal-scorer at the provincial tournament.
“Mateo is going to bring some depth in the forward position for us,” Lowndes said. “He’s a quality finisher in the box, and has natural instincts in front of goal. It was important that we bring some support for Manny (Brar) and Mikael (Mainella). We’re pleased to add a player who we believe will adapt well to Canada West soccer and contribute early in his career.”
“I chose UFV because I see a lot of great things happening with this team and I want to be a part of its success now and for many years to come,” said Brazinha, who will pursue a criminal justice degree at UFV. “I see it being the best next step for me when it comes to my soccer career and academics.”
Tyler Sayers
5’10” midfielder, Surrey, B.C.
Surrey United
Elgin Park Secondary
Sayers has been at Surrey United since the age of five, and won a U13 championship with the club along with several game MVP awards in the BCSPL. He also excelled with his school squad, the Elgin Park Orcas. Among his career highlights was a pair of summer trips to Croatia (in 2015 and 2016) to train with the Dinamo Zagreb academy team.
“Tyler is a technical midfielder – he likes to get on the ball and can find a final pass in the attacking third,” Lowndes said. “He’s got good vision, and looks to create whenever he’s on the ball. I’m excited to see him transition to university soccer.”
“I chose UFV based on what I heard and read about their business programs,” Sayers said. “I feel that the smaller class sizes will make it easier to transition from high school to university. I also know students who are currently enrolled UFV and their recommendations helped me make my decision.
“I have always wanted to continue to play soccer after graduating high school, and learn skills that will take me to the next level. The Cascades have a great squad and coach and I feel this will assist me in achieving my goals.”
Gurjivan Ark
5’10” midfielder, Abbotsford, B.C.
Coastal FC / Abbotsford United
Abbotsford Traditional Secondary
Ark’s youth soccer career was highlighted by back-to-back provincial championships, in 2018 and 2019, with the Fraser Valley Selects. In recent years, he’s suited up for Coastal FC and continued his development as a rock-solid holding midfielder. Now, the Abbotsford product is set to take the next step in his soccer career with his hometown university program.
“Gurjivan’s a hardworking midfielder,” Lowndes said. “He’ll bring more depth to our central midfield position. He’s great at breaking up the opposition’s play, and he reads the game well. We’re excited to bring him in and learn from veteran players like Trevor Zanatta, and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the group.”
“I chose UFV because it has a competitive soccer program, and it’s the right fit for me for soccer and academics,” said Ark, who plans to enrol in the Bachelor of Science program. “I’ve known some of the older players on the team, like Parman (Minhas) and Ajai (Boparai), for a while now, and I’ve played with some of them with Abby United.”
Sehaj Bajwa
5’11” winger/attacking midfielder, Surrey, B.C.
Surrey United
Fleetwood Park Secondary
Bajwa spent the entirety of his club soccer years with Surrey United, winning the U13 provincial crown. He’s also suited up for the Fleetwood Park senior boys soccer team since Grade 9, and is a two-time athlete of the year award winner. He plans to study business at UFV.
“Sehaj is another quality attacking piece – a slippery, silky winger,” Lowndes said. “He looks to take players on and finish in the final third. He works hard on both the attacking and defensive sides of the ball, and he pushes his teammates with his high work rate on the field. Sehaj has good vision as well, and I’m excited to see how he transitions to the level of play in Canada West. We’re pleased to add him to our squad.”
“I chose UFV because I really loved the team environment and how everyone was so welcoming,” said Bajwa. “My goal is to make a positive impact on and off the field by supporting my team the most I can.”
Ry Mackie
6’0” fullback, Surrey, B.C.
Surrey United
Salish Secondary
Mackie spent the past six seasons playing for Surrey United, earning MVP honours in the BCSPL championship game in 2017. He also boasts a multisport pedigree, having played ball hockey at a high level. Mackie won a national championship with Team B.C. in 2019, and was MVP of the gold medal game.
“Ry is an athletic fullback, a good one-v-one defender,” Lowndes said. “He can go join in the attack as well, and provide service from wide areas. He has the physical attributes to compete, and we’re looking forward to having him join us.”
“I chose UFV for my post-secondary adventure because of the community feel on campus,” said Mackie, who will pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree. “Having been out for a few training sessions with Tom Lowndes, I was intrigued and excited by the competitiveness of the sessions and the welcoming environment. I am very excited to be a part of the Cascades and I look forward to creating memories on and off the pitch!”
