Highlanders Announce 2019 Goalkeepers

VICTORIA, B.C. – Victoria Highlanders FC are pleased to announce the re-signing of Simon Norgrove and Ty Venhola, as well as the signing of Trevor Schneider, pending USL League and BC Soccer approval. The trio of goalkeepers are the latest additions to join Thomas Niendorf’s 2019 USL League Two squad.

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Norgrove enters his third season with the Highlanders. The 2017 campaign saw Norgrove play a total of 704 minutes across his eight games in the league, making 37 saves to round off an impressive year. The Victoria native has familiarity with Highlanders head coach Thomas Niendorf, having played on Westcastle United in Division 1 of the Vancouver Island Soccer League (VISL). Norgrove finished the 2019 VISL season backstopping the team to a 3-1 Jackson Cup victory.

“We are excited to have Simon fully fit and available from the start this season,” added Niendorf. “He is a good shot stopper, has good organizational skills and leadership from the back and has great distribution. Simon is a very cool character, he is always very calm and collected. He has a really good mindset and is a great young man.”

Venhola is also entering his third season with the black and gold. The Abbotsford native played five seasons with the UNBC Timberwolves from 2012-2018. In those seasons the athletic ‘keeper amassed 41 starts, 356 saves, 10 clean sheets, and was named Best Defensive Player in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons. Venhola also took home the Timberwolves’ Most Valuable Player Award for the 2014-15 campaign.

“Ty is a mature goalkeeper, an experienced goalkeeper and with such a young group, we are looking for him to bring that leadership and organizational aspect of his game,” stated Niendorf. “He has a strong mentality and competitive spirit. He has proven that he can perform at this level and going into another season I think he can be even better.”

This is the first season with the Highlanders for Schneider. The 2000-born ‘keeper spent time with Coquitlam Metro-Ford SC before joining the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency. He also spent time with the Canadian Men’s U-15 Identification Camp and took part in the national men’s U-17 camp in the United States in 2017.

The Highlanders start their season at home against Lane United on Friday, May 10^th, with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff at Centennial Stadium. The Highlanders will be hosting a Drums 'N' Kicks launch party on May 5th Phillip's Brewery tasting lounge at 5pm. Ribs and drumsticks infused with craft Phillips Beer, a silent auction, and a meet and greet with players, staff and owners. Tickets are $100 and include your $75 season ticket. For more information, visit eventbrite