After shepherding his team to an impressive run to the playoffs in their first season in Canada West, Heat men’s soccer coach Dante Zanatta has already taken to his off-season work by netting a future keeper.
Kelowna Secondary’s Carson Murray will join the UBC Okanagan program in the fall for the 2015 season.
The homegrown story of Murray’s athletic path began when he started playing youth soccer in Rutland. He would go on to play for Kelowna United a year underage before switching leagues to the BCSPL on the Super Y Thompson Okanagan FC, where he played five seasons.
He was 13 when coach Zanatta first met him back when the latter was working for BC Soccer. “We have stayed in touch ever since and I have trained with Dante on several occasions,” he said of his new coach.
Their connection also extends to coaching, as Murray has worked along Zanatta at the International Soccer Camp the last few years throughout the summer at the Nonis Sports Field.
“Carson has the tools to be a stand out in the CIS,” said head coach Dante Zanatta. “We have been very interested in Carson since I have been at UBCO and are extremely happy that he committed to us.
“Carson is a very coachable player,” Zanatta added. “He is very athletic and willing to push to the next level, very good with his feet and that is very important in our style of play.”
The 6-foot-0, 190-pound Murray will bring a bevy of leadership and tactical ability despite his young age, which will serve him well in the net. “I am (also) good at shot stopping and distribution out of the back,” he said.
A multi-sport athlete by trade, having been a provincial medalist in volleyball alongside his exploits on the pitch, he is eager to focus on soccer with the UBC Okanagan Heat.
“At this point I am very excited for the jump to university,” Murray said. “UBCO had a fantastic first season in the CIS. I have had the chance to train with the boys during the offseason and have known some of the players who have played in the BCSPL. I am eager to join the team.”
Murray will enroll in a Bachelor of Arts program at UBC Okanagan.
