Three members of the Surrey United soccer program have committed to playing for the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades next season.
Defender Ryan Donald, midfielder David Parfett and goalie Jesse March have signed with the Cascades and will join the Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) team in the fall. All three currently play for Surrey United in the U18 division of the EA Sports BC Soccer Premier League (BCSPL).
Donald, who plays right back, was part of the Surrey United team which placed third at last year’s U18 national championships and is considered the top right back in his age group by Cascades head coach Tom Lowndes.
“We’re thrilled to add an athlete of Ryan’s calibre,” Lowndes said of the Johnston Heights Secondary student. “He’s pretty much the modern-day fullback – he gets up and down the pitch, and he attacks as well as he defends. He’s the captain of the Surrey U18 team, so he’s a leader and he’s very vocal. I think that’ll stand him in good stead when he joins us.”
Parfett and March have both played for provincial youth teams, and along with Donald, has Lowndes excited about adding three players from one youth team onto his roster.
“Any time you have cohesion like that, it’s special,” he said. “These guys have played together now for a few years for one of the top teams in the BCSPL. I think that familiarity will help them transition to the university environment. They’re at a very good club with a good training environment, and they’ve got great attitudes.”