MSOC | Voyageurs Add Half-Dozen for 2017
Laurentian Voyageurs men’s soccer head coach, Carlo Castrechino, is happy to announce the commitment of six players for the 2017-18 season. The group of players address all areas of the pitch as the team looks to continue their climb through the extremely tough OUA East.
Roman Lovrencec joins the Voyageurs out of Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School where he enjoyed a very successful high school career. After winning a AAA OFSAA silver medal in 2014, the four year varsity team member helped guide the Longhorns to the AA OFSAA Championship. The 5’8” left back is playing his club soccer for Sigma FC and has been a member of Team Ontario since his U14 year. Lovrencec will be enrolling in the Sports Psychology program in the fall.
“I am looking forward to contribute in any way I can for the team,” says the Burlington, ON native. “The Sports Psychology program is excellent and all the while, I get to play varsity soccer so it’s the best of both worlds.”
Coach Castrechino is excited to bring in Lovrencec’s degree of skill, saying, “Roman is a versatile, speedy fullback or winger, who is highly skilled. He is strong both on the defensive end and will be able to contribute on offence as well.”
Lining up in front of Lovrencec will be a trio of midfielders as Jacob Gramegna, Carver Grenon and Brad Mastrangelo will be pulling on the navy and gold in August.
Gramegna joins the Voyageurs out of Mississauga, ON, where he was a multi-sport athlete throughout his time at Streetsville Secondary School, playing on the basketball, rugby, soccer and volleyball teams. He plays his club soccer for the Toronto Lynx soccer club. The four year honour roll student will be enrolled in the Sports Administration program in the fall, citing the program as his deciding factor in choosing Laurentian.
When asked about the game of soccer, Gramegna didn’t mince words, saying soccer “is the greatest game in the world. Soccer is my life and it has been since I started playing. I have no doubt in my mind that this is the sport for me and my life has revolved around it for the last 13 years and it will continue to for a very long time.”
Castrechino is looking forward to some of the intangibles that Gramegna brings to the table. “Jacob is big strong central midfielder who plays a smart game. His skill and size will help the team moving forward this season.”
Grenon will be in enrolled in the Sports Administration program, as well, when he comes to campus in August. The Mississauga, ON, native will be joining the Voyageurs out of Loyola Catholic Secondary School and Sigma FC Academy. It was a combination of opportunities in academics and athletics that drew Grenon to Laurentian. “The SPAD program is not only one of the best in the country but the soccer team is headed in the right direction as well,” he said.
Castrechino says that Grenon brings some versatility to the mix. “Carver is a creative central midfielder who can also play wing. His soccer smarts and field vision are two of his better assets.”
Mastrangelo rounds out the midfielders as he joins the Voyageurs from Enniskillen, ON. The Clarington Central SS graduate is no stranger to the international game, having represented team North America for three consecutive years at AC Milan Tournament in Milan, Italy. The future Zoology student said it was the whole package that Laurentian offered that helped cement his decision to become a Voyageur.
“I loved the location,” he said, “as well as the positive vibes I got from the school, the residences, the team and Coach Carlo.” The coach had nothing but good things to say about Mastrangelo, commenting, “Brad is a highly skilled midfielder who brings pace and soccer sense to the field. His field vision and tenacity will be a valuable asset to the squad.”
Up front, Kristian Shuttleworth comes to the Voyageurs out of Superior Heights Collegiate and Vocational School in Sault Ste. Marie, ON. Kristian currently plays for the Greater Sudbury Soccer Club and participates in U-21 Provincial East Division of the Ontario Soccer League. The striker will be enrolling in the Business Administration program and is no stranger to the Nickel City. “I have played competitive soccer in Sudbury since I was 13,” he tells us. “I consider Sudbury my second home.”
For Castrechino, the prospect of watching Shuttleworth battle in front of the other team’s net has him smiling. “Kristian is a powerful skilled forward, who has strength and pace who will be a force for defenders to deal with.”
Rounding out the incoming class is goalkeeper Adam Scanlon from Newmarket, ON. The St. Maximillian Kolbe graduate is a multi-sport athlete who grew up playing hockey, rugby and badminton, as well as soccer. Adam currently plays for Aurora FC in League 1 Ontario premier division. When Scanlon stepped onto campus, his mind was made up. “When I visited the campus, I felt at home,” he said. “Walking around, seeing the beautiful campus, great facilities and the local community confirmed my decision to pick Laurentian. I look forward to battling beside my teammates to bring success to the program.”
Castrechino is looking forward to the depth Scanlon will add to the roster. “Adam will add to our strong goaltending core. He brings quality and size to the position. We look forward to him being a part of the squad for years to come.”
On the whole, Coach Castrechino likes the look of the 2017 edition of the team. “We are very excited to welcome 6 new recruits to Laurentian University. Each player will add to our already strong core and should be able to contribute right away. We made significant strides last year and adding these 6 players to the squad, I am confident that this will push us closer to our goal of an OUA Championship.”
The newest Voyageurs will begin their tenure when training camp opens up on August 15th. The 2017 season kicks off on Saturday, August 26th when both the women and men head to Ryerson.
Bryan Carruthers
Varsity Coordinator