Business Administration student, John Moncada (Lady Eaton College) has capped off a historic debut season with the Excalibur men’s varsity soccer team, earning U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian status, a national honour awarded to the top-performing student-athletes across Canadian universities. 

“This is a historic milestone for John and for our men’s soccer program to be recognized on the national stage,” said Nathan McFadden, director of Athletics & Recreation at Trent University. “Earning U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian status is a testament not only to John’s high-end skill and work ethic, but also to the strong belief head coach Grant Purdy has in his players to showcase their talent early in their career. We’re proud of John’s remarkable first campaign, the program’s best season ever, and what it signals for the future of Excalibur soccer.” 

John’s impressive season rewrote the record books at Trent University, leading the Ontario University Athletics association in scoring with 14 goals in 11 games, the most ever by an Excalibur men's soccer player in their first season. His consistent scoring touch and poise in high-pressure moments also placed him first nationally in goals and tied for first in total points across all of U SPORTS men's soccer. 

John’s debut season cemented his place among the nation’s elite and propelled him to second on Trent’s all-time goals list, tying Aaron Chia (‘15). John’s teammate, Leo Frans (Champlain College) sits in first place with 18 career goals in three years with the Excalibur. 

“What stands out about John is just how humble he is. He never lets ego dominate what he wants for the team and is supportive of every player,” said Grant Purdy, head coach of Excalibur men’s soccer. “On the field, he has a special gift; a sense of where the ball is going to be, which allows him to beat defenders and score. This recognition is a reflection of what John is capable of and how far the men’s soccer program has come. I believe the best is yet to come.” 

John's First-Team All-Canadian designation by U SPORTS marks the first time a Trent Excalibur men's soccer player has received the national honour and the fourth All-Canadian selection in Trent Athletics history. Earlier this fall, John was also named the OUA East Division Most Valuable Player and an OUA First Team All-Star.  

“Being named a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian means everything to me.  I came into the season with a bit of a chip on my shoulder, ready to turn some heads and the environment here at Trent made it all possible,” said John. “The coaches giving me the opportunity and my teammates believing in me made it fun to play and pushed me to succeed. To know my name will be in the Trent history books is a special feeling. Looking ahead, my goal is to help the team make a playoff run and win a championship.” 

He joins an exclusive list that includes Kristine Boyles from women's rugby, who earned First Team All-Canadian honours in both 2007 and 2009, and Thaddeus Bolton from men's soccer, who was named a Second Team All-Canadian in 2009. 

With his name now alongside some of Trent's most celebrated athletes, John’s milestone represents the beginning of a new chapter for the Excalibur men's soccer program.