Burnaby, BC – Four BC high school seniors have signed National Letters of Intent to play soccer with the Simon Fraser University men’s soccer team and attend school at SFU beginning in the fall of 2012.

All four are from the greater Vancouver area.

"It is very rare for us in this day and age to find four elite players like this in our own backyard,” said head coach Alan Koch. “As is consistent with our recruiting over the years we look local first before looking at any foreign talent, and thankfully we have found these four outstanding student-athletes.”

The 2012 class includes Simon Cohen (White Rock, BC), Colin Jacques (Richmond, BC), Gilbert Kyne (Burnaby, BC), and Tristan Wallis-Mayer (West Vancouver,, BC).

Cohen, a tall and strong goalkeeper from Semiahmoo Secondary, is a member of the Surrey United U-18 team in the High Performance League, and represented their men's team in the Pacific Coast Soccer League in 2011.

He has been a part of the BC Provincial U-16 team and represented Canada at the Maccabiah games in 2009.

"Simon has a lot of intangibles that you cannot teach. His desire and his height are major attributes in his position. I am really excited to see how he adapts to the college game. He is fortunate that he is coming into a very healthy goalkeeping situation. He will be able to learn from our senior keepers this coming season and I am confident that he will become the number one goalkeeper for us at some stage in his career at SFU,” said Koch.

Jacques, an explosive forward from R.A McMath Secondary, is a member of the Fusion FC U-18 team in the HPL.

Jacques started out as a forward for his team but is versatile and plays as a winger too. He has been a part of the U-15 and U-16 BC Provincial team.

He was also the two time golden boot winner at the BC High School Provincial Championships.

 "Colin is an explosive and dynamic striker who will fit in with our team right away. I am delighted that he chose to stay in BC to further his footballing aspirations and earn his degree,” said Koch.

Wallis-Mayer is known as a lighting fast fullback from Sentinel High School.

He currently plays with the successful West Vancouver FC in the Vancouver Metro Senior League Premier Division.

He was a member of the BC Provincial team in 2009 and 2010, and was also invited to be a part of the Canadian Soccer Association National Training Centre West in 2008 through 2010.

"Tristan is another dynamic player who we are excited to see join us in SFU red. His passion for the game is second to none, and I am excited to see how he fits in with our current group,” said Koch.

Kyne is a dynamic and complete forward from Byrne Creek Secondary.

He currently plays with Mountain United FC in the HPL. He led his team in scoring this past year and was named the club's MVP.

He was also named the MVP for Byrne Creek Secondary this past year. In 2009, Kyne was selected as the top forward in the North American USL Y-league Championships.

"Gilbert has a great combination of flair and strength to add to our potent goal scoring game. I am excited for him to join us as a student-athlete at SFU. He will push to play right away,” said Koch.

All four recruits will begin their SFU soccer careers when they report for training camp at the end of August.

"What I am incredibly happy with is that all four of these recruits have an equal focus on football and academics. I am excited to push them to their limits as athletes, and also see them work towards earning their SFU degrees. It will be an exciting day when we finally see them report for training camp in August,” concluded Koch.