Jan. 10, 2008

BURNABY, B.C. -- Simon Fraser (B.C.) University Clan men's soccer defender Leigh Sembaluk (Regina, SK) has signed with the Rochester Raging Rhinos of the United Soccer Leagues (USL), the team announced earlier this week. Sembaluk, a senior defender with the Clan, was part of the 2007 SFU squad that won the NAIA Region I Championship and reached the NAIA Final Four for the first time since 1991. 

The 22-year-old defender was named National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-American and All-Region in 2005 and led his team to Region I Championships in 2003 and 2007. Sembaluk led the SFU defense to 16 clean sheets en route to an NAIA Final Four appearance in 2007. He recorded one goal and two assists in his senior campaign and started 16 matches after sitting out the 2006 season with a knee injury. Sembaluk has spent his last two summers playing for Columbus Clan FC (Vancouver, BC). Most notably, he spent two years (2001-03) in the Canadian U-17 and U-20 National Team player pools.

"Leigh brings balance to our left side, both as a midfielder or left back," said Rhinos head coach Laurie Calloway. "We were very impressed with his performance at the NAIA championships in Kansas in early December. He has a tremendous work ethic and has been a big part of Simon Fraser's success. He is an accomplished defender and attack player and can play right full back and midfield positions as well."