He climbed, he conquered.
Coquitlam's Trevor Zanatta may have ended his third collegiate season with a red card and an ejection from the conference bronze medal match, but his consistent play and leadership was recognized by the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV).
The midfielder was named the Cascades' male athlete of the year for the 2021-22 campaign at the school's athletic awards banquet earlier this month.
He beat out four other nominees for the top prize — all from different teams.
Zanatta played a key role in leading UFV to the Canada West Final Four as an unranked team in men's soccer following a fourth-place finish in playoffs and in west-division play (4-3-5).
The Coquitlam Metro-Ford Soccer Club alum racked up eight points in 15 total games, including three goals and five assists.
That was the most among his green-and-white teammates and 14th overall across the conference.
Remarkably, four of his helpers were recorded in one game from when UFV defeated UBC by a score of 5-1 in Abbotsford on Oct. 3.
Zanatta's feat set a new Canada West record for most assists in a regular-season match.
The Cascades ultimately lost out on a medal with a 2-0 setback against Mount Royal University after falling 5-0 in the semis to Victoria.
Despite missing the podium, Zanatta was named a first-team conference all-star, was an Academic All-Canadian and shared the UFV men's soccer MVP honour with Surrey defender Ryan Donald.
Zanatta graduated from Archbishop Carney Regional Secondary School in Port Coquitlam in 2018.
SOCCER SIGNINGS
UFV continues to look to the Tri-Cities in adding talent to its pitch in the years to come.
Mateo Brazinha of Riverside Secondary recently committed to joining the Cascades for the 2022-23 campaign.
The Port Coquitlam forward is also a member of Coquitlam Metro-Ford and is described as a pure goal-scorer by UFV head coach Tom Lowndes.
"He's a quality finisher in the box, and has natural instincts in front of goal," he said in a team release.
"We're pleased to add a player who we believe will adapt well to Canada West soccer and contribute early in his career."
Brazinha won a provincial Metro title in 2018 and finished second in last year's BC Soccer Premier League with Metro Ford.
With Riverside, he claimed two Fraser North district banners and a fourth-place finish at 2021 high-school provincials.
"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 degree in criminal justice.
"I see it being the best next step for me when it comes to my soccer career and academics."
Meanwhile, Coquitlam's Luciana Andrews is hoping to add some depth while out on the wing with UFV's women's soccer team next season.
She led St. Thomas More to the 2019 BC AA senior girls soccer title and will also represent Coquitlam Metro-Ford ongoing list of graduates on the Canada West pitch.
According to head coach Niko Marcina, Andrews is not afraid to get up close and go for the long kicks towards the opposing team's net.
"Luciana has the ability to go at players and cross the ball in with both feet. She also has the unique ability to score goals from a variety of distances, which will hopefully add a lot of offensive presence to our team this season."
Andrews was also named a tournament all-star at Centennial Secondary's kick-off event in March.
While aiming to earn a business admin degree in the classroom, she hopes to add to a budding program not far from her backyard.
"I chose UFV because it has a strong and competitive women's soccer program, and will provide me a quality post-secondary education," said Andrews.
"I hope to develop both on and off the field while creating long-lasting friendships. I wish to make an immediate impact on the team and help bring success to the program."
