Anthony Stolar looking forward to joining ‘championship program’

Anthony Stolar looking forward to joining 'championship program'

Caper head coach Deano Morley loves his 'tenacity'

By Corey LeBlanc

Ever since he took the pitch for the first time – as a four-year-old – Anthony Stolar says he has "always really wanted to play."

As he continued to climb the ranks of the soccer club system, the native of Mississauga, Ontario explains his focus has been on "playing at a high level," while focusing on "learning and improving."

The Grade 12 student will have the opportunity to continue on that path – at the university level starting next fall – with the Cape Breton University (CBU) Caper men's soccer program.

"It is a great opportunity for me to develop as a player and a person," the product of the Rush Canada Soccer Academy says of his decision to attend CBU.

Stolar adds he can't wait to become part of the "championship program" and join a group of "top-level players."

The 17-year-old also tapped into a personal connection – when gathering information on the varsity program; he plays at the club level with the brother of current Caper Raine Lyn.

"Always positive," he says of the feedback he has gotten from Lyn regarding his CBU experience.

Stolar adds his friend always mentions he is "becoming a better player."

"He [Raine] told me that they take soccer seriously [at CBU} and that's the type of program that I want to be part of," he notes.

Describing him as a "pit bull," Caper head coach Deano Morley praises Stolar's "fight, spirit and work ethic."

"What I love about him – one of the main reasons that we brought him in – is his tenacity," the CBU bench boss adds.

Morley expects Stolar to have a bright future in Caper orange.

"We are excited to watch Anthony grow into our program," he says.

When it comes to academics, Stolar explains CBU appealed to him on a number of levels, including its smaller class sizes.

"An opportunity for that one-on-one [attention]," he notes.

Stolar will enrol in the Bachelor of Business Administration program in CBU's Shannon School of Business, as part of the cooperative education option.

"I am still unsure," he says, when asked about his career aspirations.

Stolar notes it will probably involve mathematics because "I love problem-solving."

When he arrives on the CBU campus, it will be the first trip to the east coast for the central Canadian.

"I know it is really beautiful there and I can't wait to see it," Stolar says.

-30-