Photo by Valerie Wutti
OTTAWA – On the eve of the U SPORTS Men’s Soccer Championship a pair of Ravens rookies have been recognized for their incredible seasons. Raphael Garcia (Ottawa, Ont.) has earned U SPORTS First-Team All-Canadian honours while Matteo de Brienne (Ottawa, Ont.) adds to his impressive campaign with a nomination for U SPORTS Lou Bilek Award (Rookie of the Year) and an appearance on the U SPORTS All-Rookie team.
A rock in the Carleton backline, Raphael Garcia is had an immense impact on the program, providing strength and stability to a group that was already well-established as one of the toughest in Canada. Garcia appeared in 9 games, starting seven while providing a goal on 7 shots on target.
Rookie midfielder Matteo de Brienne was already named OUA East Rookie of the Year. The Ottawa product registered seven goals in 2021, including three in a playoff-clinching game against Trent on October 29. The skilled rookie from the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy has shown a veteran-like ability to punish defences. Fitting right in alongside perennial award nominees and all-stars on the Ravens’ roster, the Carleton rookie, who also played with Atletic Ottawa in 2020, slotted in for nine of his team’s fixtures in his debut campaign with the OUA squad.
