WolfPack soccer squad adds goaltending depth

SPORTS — The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack have added some goaltending depth as they prepare for their first season in CIS men’s soccer.

The WolfPack and head coach John Antulov have secured the services of 6’4” keeper Morgan Crandlemire of Salmon Arm. Crandlemire played this spring with the Shuswap F.C. U-18 REP team.

“I was interested in studying at a university with a good soccer program and that is what Thompson Rivers offers,” said Crandlemire, who graduated from Salmon Arm Secondary this month. He plans to enroll in courses with an eye to a Bachelor of Business Administration at TRU.

“I think it is great that TRU will be competing at the CIS level,’ he explained. As a team member, it motivates and pushes me to work and train even harder because we are at the top level of university soccer.”

Crandlemire will become the second TRU keeper with ties to Salmon Arm.

Starter and 2013 PACWEST all-star Travis Froehlich from Revelstoke graduated from Salmon Arm. He also played minor soccer with TRU veterans Colton Walker, Nathan McNeilly and Austin Schneebeli .

“I enjoy the idea of being able to play with some of the guys I have played with in the past. I am looking forward to training with Travis and if this is the start of a Salmon Arm/TRU goalie tradition, then I am pleased to be a part of it.”

“Morgan will be our goalkeeper of the future,” Antulov stated. “If he progresses quickly he can become a real asset for us. He has good physical attributes for a keeper and has nice soft hands. He reads the play very well. Working in this environment and with Travis will really help him develop his game and become a solid goalkeeper in the CIS.”

The newest WolfPack keeper will be patient to get playing time but he believes he will be ready. “ I think the CIS is a big step up, but I am looking forward to the challenge.”

Crandlemire’s Shuswap F.C. team lost in this year’s Thompson Okanagan Youth Soccer League final 3-0 to Kamloops. The winning team was coached by former WolfPack head coach Sean Wallace and featured fellow TRU recruit Cole Hooper.

Besides Crandllemire, Hooper, Walker and Scheebeli, the WolfPack have also announced that Satinder Dhaliwal of Surrey has agreed to join the squad starting in August.

TRU will open its inaugural CIS training camp the beginning of August. Their first home match is set for Friday, Sept. 12 at Hillside Stadium against the Trinity Western University Spartans. Kick off is 7 p.m.