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T-wolves lean on local talent

Andy Cameron didn't have to travel too far to find his 2015 recruiting class. Five of the eight recruits who have committed to play for Cameron and UNBC's women's soccer team are from Prince George.
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Andy Cameron didn't have to travel too far to find his 2015 recruiting class.

Five of the eight recruits who have committed to play for Cameron and UNBC's women's soccer team are from Prince George.

They include a trio from College Heights secondary - Taylor Samuelson, a five-foot-10 central defender; Madeline Doucette, a five-foot-nine striker; and Julia Babicz, a five-foot-three midfielder.

Rounding out the Prince George contingent are Lianna Toopitsin, a five-foot-seven goalkeeper from Westside Academy and Shanna Olsen, a five-foot-five winger from Duchess Park.

The remainder of the class includes Kaitlin Godsoe, a five-foot-10 winger from Correlieu secondary in Quesnel; Lenasia Ned, a five-foot-nine fullback from Kelowna; and Sasha Eldsvik, a five-foot-three midfielder from Squamish.

The influx of talent on all three areas of the field is needed since UNBC lost seven athletes to graduation at the end of the 2014 season.

"I like the class," said Cameron, the Timberwolves' head coach. "There are some good local players and the others are from around the region. We only lose a couple players after next season. With this new wave of players, it will be a challenge to get them playing as part of our unit as quickly as possible.

"Taylor is very athletic and tall," he added. "Maddie plays up front and is very smart and intelligent. Julia is tiny but quick. Shanna is left-footed and that's an asset. Lenasia is a fullback and she's physically strong. Kaitlin is tall, lean and quick. Sasha is quick and smart."

With starting goalkeeper Jordan Hall going into her final year of eligibility in 2015, Toopitsin will suit up in a back-up role this season, said Cameron.

Entering their fourth season in Canadian Interuniversity Sport, the Timberwolves hope to improve on last year when they posted a 1-9-2 record and picked up their first victory since they joined the CIS Canada West Conference three years ago.

"I think it's possible (for more success) after the wins we had in the spring with a positive push going forward and the change in the schedule which is positive," said Cameron.

In the winter, Canada West changed the women's soccer format to two

regions, four divisions and a 14-game regular season with the top-six teams from each region advancing to the playoffs. The Timberwolves will be grouped in a yet-to-be-named division with Thompson Rivers University, UBC Okanagan and the University of Alberta.

The UNBC side won't get together in an official capacity until Aug. 21 when it travels to Penticton for a mini boot camp to work with Sean Bacon of Dynamic Shift Consulting. In the past, Bacon has worked with UBC's women's soccer team, B.C. Hockey League clubs and the Canadian Forces.

"We'll work on team building and leadership that will bring the group together quickly," said Cameron.

A three-team mini tournament against Thompson Rivers and MacEwan University of Edmonton follows on Aug. 28.

While the Canada West schedule hasn't officially been released yet, Cameron said UNBC opens the season at home on Sept. 11-12 against TRU and UBCO.

The annual UNBC Timberwolves Golf Tournament tees off today at Aberdeen Glen Golf Course with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. To date it has raised more than $209,000 to support student athletes.