Three friends from NS commit to UPEI Men's Soccer

Charlottetown, PEI (June 2, 2016)—University of Prince Edward Island Men's Soccer Coach Lewis Page is pleased to announce that three friends from Nova Scotia have committed to the Panthers for 2016–17. The trio includes Mohammed Jaber, Cohen Reddick-Stevens, and Josh MacKillop.

Coach Page says, "We are really excited to have landed three of the top prospects in Nova Scotia. Mohammed Jabar, Cohen Reddick-Stevens, and Josh MacKillop are great attacking players that will add firepower to our lineup. The three all played together on the Nova Scotia provincial team which means they will know each other well both on and off the field."

Jaber is from Bedford and attends Charles P. Allen High School. Jaber was captain of his school team for the past two seasons, and assistant captain of the Suburban FC team for the past two years. In his senior year, Jaber scored 28 goals in ten games and was named MVP. A member of the Nova Scotia provincial team from U14 to U18, Jaber has been key to the team's success in the final third of the field, scoring goals. Jaber is involved with youth development and has coached Scotia Soccer Club youth teams for the past two years, and coached at the U12 Provincial ID Camp last summer.

Jaber says, "I was very fortunate to have interest from many different universities but I am very happy with my decision to choose UPEI. I chose UPEI for its great academic offering and strong soccer program. I also get to train with Coach Page, one of the best coaches in Canada. I am very excited to play with some of the country's best soccer players and to represent the Panthers this coming fall."

Reddick-Stevens attends Auburn High School in Cole Harbour. An honours student, Reddick-Stevens was team captain, one of the Metro League's top scorers, and was selected as an all-star. Currently a member of the Halifax-Dunbrack Senior Men's team in the Nova Scotia Soccer League, Cohen came up through the Dartmouth United youth system and has been a member of Soccer Nova Scotia's provincial program since the age of 12. Reddick-Stevens has represented Nova Scotia at numerous Atlantic Canada championships and has been on four championship teams.

Reddick-Stevens is eager about the opportunity of joining the UPEI family. "I am excited about having the opportunity to come to a great school and to play for Coach Page. I look forward to becoming a Panther and contributing to a successful season next year."

MacKillop is a Cape Bretoner who attends Riverview High School in Coxheath. MacKillop was also captain of his school team and was selected as a first-team all-star in 2013 and 2014. MacKillop was a member of the provincial team from U15 to U18, and won gold at the Atlantics for two consecutive years (2013 and 2014). In May 2015, he was awarded the U17 assistant captain role for Nova Scotia at Atlantic Showcase. MacKillop was a member of the Cape Breton United in the Senior Men's League and since 2012, MacKillop has spent many hours volunteering as a coach (U4-U12) and refereeing with the Albert Bridge Youth Soccer Club. He also served as assistant coach with Soccer NS' Cape Breton Regional Training Centre.

MacKillop comments, "It was tough choosing a university, but at the end of the day, I chose UPEI because academically I feel that it is a better fit for me—offering small classes and a close knit community—just like home. I've been playing soccer since I was four years old; I have a passion for the sport and I know I can only improve my game with Coach Lewis Page and his staff."

All three recruits will be entering the Faculty of Science and majoring in Kinesiology.