Recruits hope to add steam to Heat scoring
Hoping to add some scoring punch, offensive players were front and centre for UBCO Heat women’s soccer coach Craig Smith this recruiting season.
Yvonne Manwaring and Kelowna’s Hailey Wright will have a chance at playing time if they can prove during preseason that they can bring their scoring touch to the Canada West level.
Catriona McFadden and Luisa Rodriguez both come into camp as midfielders and both have found ways to score in their high school and club careers.
“We are extremely excited to integrate our new recruits with a great number of returning players,” Smith said.
Smith said he and his two assistants, Carli Tingtad and goalkeeper coach Kai Tolpinrud, are excited about the work ethic of this group.
“All the incoming players have been working extremely hard so far in camp and will have the chance to make a difference in our season this fall,” Smith said.
Wright comes from Kelowna Secondary as an accomplished soccer player and record-setting track star.
The five-foot-five attacker can play wide and as a central striker, and the team will utilize her speed to add some much-needed goal-scoring to this year's women's squad.
“In addition to Hailey’s pace, she is extremely coachable and we are excited with her potential and looking forward to watching her develop within our environment,” Smith said.
Wright will enter the Bachelor of Arts program focusing on International Relations, with the hopes of one day becoming an environmental lawyer following her degree. She was an honour roll student at KSS.
In 2015, Wright was part of a record-setting team in the 4X100-metre relay team at the B.C. high school championship, setting a new provincial mark with a time of 51.94 seconds. She also won the 100-metre dash and came second in the 200 at the same championship.
In 2013, Wright competed in the famous Hershey, Pa., track meet where she finished fourth in her age class for the 100.
Wright said she has always wanted to be a member of the Heat.
“Ever since I was a little girl playing soccer I would pass the university, idolizing the girls that play for the team, and now here I am,” she said. “I cannot wait to start this next exciting chapter in my life, as I strive to achieve everything I am capable of doing.”
Read more about this year’s recruiting class online at Kelownadailycourier.ca.
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