The UKC Blue Devils men’s soccer team is through to nationals this week for the second straight season—the only team to qualify in both years. The CCAA nationals kick off Wednesday, November 6 at Saint Thomas University in Fredericton, N.B.
The team has built a strong legacy of success, becoming a consistent and formidable presence in the ACAA. The Blue Devils are on a remarkable run with only three losses in the past two seasons (including the playoffs), securing two CCAA national appearances, an ACAA championship and a ACAA silver medal during that time.
Head Coach Jamie McGinnis credits the team’s success to strong leadership from veteran players and a dedicated group of coaches that include Matt Cousens, Joe Iatrou and Michael Beazley. “Each season has its joys and challenges, we [the UKC coaches] are in it because of this great group of players. We love the process of team building and a championship run, but the real joy comes from helping our guys develop important life skills along the way through the game,” says McGinnis. “We had coaches make a similar impact on us at their age, this is our way of giving back.”
Building on last year’s successes
The 2023-2024 season saw the Blue Devils come away with the banner after a thrilling overtime victory in the ACAA Championship game, solidifying their place as conference champions and earning them a spot at nationals.
Adding to the 2023-24 season’s accolades were several individual awards. Michael Zinck, Ewan MacGregor, Luke Kotaska, Jonah Cameron, and ACAA Goalkeeper of the year Rylan Logan were All-Star selections. Their impact was instrumental in the team’s championship success and set the standard for excellence within the squad. The season’s success reached the national stage, as Zinck earned the prestigious title of a CCAA All-Canadian and Kotaska was named a CCAA Tournament All-Star, a title reserved for the 11 best players at the tournament.
The accolades keep mounting
To qualify for the nationals in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons is a remarkable achievement that underscores the consistency and competitive edge of the Blue Devils at the conference and national level.
The Blue Devils showed no signs of slowing down despite losing seven players from last year’s starting lineup. Four players were named ACAA All-Stars: Luke Kotaska, Jai Cunsolo-Willox, Rowan Houlihan and Grayson Walker. Kotaska, recognized in both seasons, has proven to be a key player and leader within the team, with Cunsolo-Willox, Houlihan and Walker each bringing unique strengths that make them invaluable on the field.
The Blue Devils’ success story doesn’t end with collegiate honours. This season, Coleton Walker signed a semi-professional contract in Germany, marking a significant milestone for both him and the UKC men’s soccer program. Walker’s signing is a testament to the high-caliber training and development provided by UKC, inspiring current and future players to pursue excellence in their soccer careers.
The UKC Blue Devils men’s soccer team aims to carry forward a legacy of achievement. The current 2024-2025 roster, featuring standout All-Stars and a strong team spirit, continues to build on the foundation set by the previous season’s champions. As the Blue Devils press forward, they do so with a deep sense of pride and a commitment to excellence that will undoubtedly lead to further successes both on and off the field.
