REDS Tap Milton And Maine Talent Pools

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS men’s soccer team has reached across provincial and international borders to add to its recruiting class of 2021.

Centreback Leander Dlima, of Milton, Ontario, and midfielder/fullback Adam Loewen, of Farmington, Maine, have signed U SPORTS Letters of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2021-22 Atlantic University Sport season.

The 17-year-old Dlima is finishing his Grade 12 year at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Secondary School, in Mississauga, where he was a starting senior and captain of the Arc Angels varsity boys’ soccer team.

“Leander is coming in with the intention of making an impact with our backline,” said REDS head coach Barry Morrison. “He’s a strong student and excellent athlete. He’s going to be a great addition to our group. I’m excited to work with Leander and see him develop over his time here at UNB.”

At the club level, Dlima has been part of Rush Canada, Oakville Soccer Club, and Milton Magic teams. He was part of a Milton team that won an Ontario Cup and he captained an Oakville team that won a Peel-Halton Development League championship.

“The REDS have been a team that I’ve had on my university list since I began high school,” said Dlima. “UNB has always been one of the best teams in the country, and the players treat each other like family. That’s the kind of environment I want to be in.”

Dlima says a short-term goal of his is to become a starter with the REDS in his first or second year. Longer-term, he’d like to be a regular starter and will aim for Academic All-Canadian status.

Dlima will study Kinesiology while attending UNB.

Loewen, also 17, has recently finished his senior year at Farmington’s Mt. Blue High School.

A four-year member of the Cougars varsity boys’ soccer team, Loewen helped Mt. Blue to the quarter-finals of Maine’s Class A championship tournament in two of three seasons in which he played. His fourth season, in 2020, was lost to the pandemic.

At the club team level, Loewen captained Central Maine United sides to a Maine State Premier League championship, as well as Needham Memorial Tournament and Coastal Challenge Tournament titles.

“We’re excited to have Adam joining us from his Central Maine United club team,” said Coach Morrison. “He’s had great success at both the club and high school levels, and will no doubt be working hard to continue that here at UNB. Adam is a tough, hard-working midfielder who will bring us some needed grit.”

“UNB appealed to me because it’ll give me an opportunity to compete, get a quality education, and be located near my family,” said Loewen. “I’ll push myself and others to be the best we can be.”

Loewen was part of the Maine Olympic Development Program, which identifies talent for national team opportunities, between 2016 and 2020.

“A short-term goal of mine is to earn playing time as a freshman,” said Loewen. “A long-term goal is to help bring the REDS to the national championship.”

Loewen will study Engineering while attending UNB.

PHOTOS:         Dlima – Submitted

                        Loewen – Jamie Lynn Photography