Sadly, there is little left for Cam Hundal to win.
Instead, the rookie midfielder will have to settle for multiplying the trophies he already has for the rest of his career as a University of Victoria Vikes soccer player.
The Surrey import capped his impressive first season with an MVP effort to lead the Vikes in a 3-1 win over the Saint Mary’s Huskies on Sunday for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport men’s national soccer championship.
The Vikes won all three games as hosts of the CIS nationals, Nov. 10 to 13 at Centennial Stadium.
“It feels good to win a championship, but I want to win many championships here, and win it again next year,” Hundal said.
Really, what else can he say?
Hundal was named MVP of the CIS nationals, was his team’s MVP in the championship final, and was earlier named Canada West rookie of the year. He also scored in the semifinal and was named player of the game in the Vikes quarterfinal win over the Montreal Carabins.
More than 3,000 fans witnessed his heroics in the big game on Sunday, as Hundal took a headed pass from forward Jordie Oberg off his chest and arched it over Huskies goalie Adam Miller for his first goal in the 53rd minute. Then, in the 77th minute, Hundal streaked in and tapped home Craig Gorman’s cross from the goal-line.
Wes Barret scored the Vikes first goal in the 43rd minute while Elvir Gigolaj of London, Ont., scored for Saint Mary’s in the 66th minute.
It’s UVic’s fifth national title in school history. Ther others came in 1975, 1987, 1996 and 2004. Vikes head coach Bruce Wilson was at the helm for the latter two of those championships.
“We had a lot of senior players who came back this year and we picked up some quality rookies as well,” Wilson said. “I’m so happy, I don’t know what to say. I feel so fortunate that we won this game in front of this great crowd with great alumni presence and they were all loud.”
Vikes goalkeeper and Oak Bay native Elliot Mitrou only made two saves, but one was crucial as he acrobatically tipped a ball over the crossbar in the 88th minute. Vikes Gavin Barrett, Andrew Ravenhill, Oberg and Hundal all made the CIS tournament all-star team.
