Women's Soccer Team Info

The adage "Don’t judge a book by its cover" certainly applies to how people should view the fortunes of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s soccer team in 2010. Although the team won three matches and tied only three, the ‘Pack were, for the most part, in each of the matches.

The WolfPack saw three players graduate in 2010: forwards Val Godard and Heather Lloyd along with keeper Shannen Meyer (all from Kamloops, BC) .

Head coach Tom McManus had a lot of fresh faces make their debut last season. The likes of Sarah Gomes (Prince George, BC) and Laura Smylie (150 Mile House, BC) made an immediate impact. Gomes was a first team BC College Athletic Association all-star. Smylie was one of the BCCAA’s top scorers with seven goals in 12 games.

Veterans expected to play more of a critical role this year will be team captian Abbey McAuley (Langley, BC) along with Ashley Piggot (Prince George, BC), Blair MacKay (Kamloops, BC) and Chloe McAuley (Langley, BC).

Defenders Courtney Dennill (Kamloops, BC) and Emily Bailey (Campbell River, BC) are hoping that they won’t experience the ‘sophomore jinx’ in their second year with the ‘Pack.

There have been some changes among the coaching staff for this season: Glen Archer and Kelly Shantz have moved onto greener pastures. They have been replaced by Danilo Caron (a former UCC Sun Demon player) and Andy Gelowitz.

Two veteran players who are returning to the WolfPack after a year away are midfielders Alanna Bekkering and Chianne Smith (both Kamloops, BC).

Midfielders Vanessa Zilkie (Kelowna, BC) and Emily Oliver (Kamloops, BC) have worked their way into the every day roster after being ‘red shirts’ in 2010.

Emily Edmundson (Kamloops, BC) is back for her second year in the nets and will be pushed by rookie Jamie Wheeler (Richmond, BC).

Other fresh faces that hope to contribute are striker Jaydene Radu (Calgary, AB) and defender Madison Wells (Ladner, BC).

New recruits include two members from the Kamloops Youth Soccer Association REP program: Katie Sparrow and Taylor Miller.