The Chronicle Herald (Provincial)
Capers mourn loss of former player
SYDNEY — A former Cape Breton University soccer player is being remembered for his personality on and off the field.
Alex Semenets, who was a member of the Capers' men's soccer program in 2014, died on Sept. 4 at the age of 30. The cause and location of his death were not released.
The midfielder played one season with the Capers, appearing in four games. He had no points and three shots on goal, while starting three contests.
“Although we only had the chance to work with Alex for one year, he certainly left an impact,” said Capers head coach Deano Morley, in a statement on the university's social media pages.
“He was one of the most talented young men we've ever worked with and his smile and energy were infectious.”
Semenets was born in Kiev, Ukraine and moved to Mississauga, Ont., in 1998. While attending Iona Catholic High School, he played soccer for the Oakville Blue Stars, before taking his career to the West Coast.
In British Columbia, Semenets suited up for the Vancouver Whitecaps residency team in the USL Premier Development
League from 2007 to 2009, recording three goals and 11 points during the 2008 campaign.
He was called up to the Whitecaps' senior club following the 2009 season. He made his debut with the senior team in July 2010 against the NSC
Minnesota Stars, entering the game as a substitute in the 80th minute.
After spending four years in Vancouver, Semenets signed a contract in March 2011 with FC Edmonton of the North American Soccer League, notching one goal and playing 404 minutes in 13 games.
Semenets would re-sign with the Edmonton squad for the 2012 season, appearing in only three games and posting no points.
He left Edmonton and returned to Ontario to play for the Toronto Lynx of the USL Premier Development League and was recruited by Cape Breton University.
On the international circuit, Semenets was a member of Canada's under-20 national team. He played for the country at the Les Jeux de la Francophonie tournament in Beirut, Lebanon in 2009, finishing the tournament with three goals.
In a story published on the Vancouver Whitecaps official website, a number of Semenets teammates mourned his loss.
“I will always cherish the memories we made on the pitch, but most importantly the memories we made outside the field,” said Phil Davies. “You always found a way to put a smile on my face and I will always be grateful for that.”
Meanwhile, Randy Edwinibonsu was in “a complete state of shock” to hear the news of Semenets passing.
“The only thing Alex knew was the game and never stopped chasing his dream of playing professionally,” said Edwini-bonsu, on the Whitecaps' website. “I remember that smile of yours and your laughter.”
In an interview with Derek Van Diest, national soccer columnist for Postmedia's Edmonton Sun and Edmonton Journal, FC Edmonton head coach Jeff Paulus offered his condolences to Semenets' family.
“He was a bright light and he'll certainly be missed. It's a real shame, he was only 30 years old.”