The UNBC Timberwolves women's soccer team has added a cornerstone to its defence.
Lydia Lavigne, a six-foot-one defender from Vernon, is the club's first recruit for the 2018 Canada West season. Timberwolves head coach Neil Sedgwick expects her to make an immediate impact.
"She is going to be massive for our program moving forward," Sedgwick said. "She is a fantastic player and comes from a strong program where she is getting good information. Lydia wants to grow every single day and that's what we want. Within our program, that is our focus."
This past season, the 17-year-old Lavigne was named female player of the year in the Whitecaps/NOYSA Okanagan Soccer Academy. Outside of the academy program, she trained with Thompson Okanagan FC.
Lavigne, who will graduate from Vernon secondary school in June, paid a visit to UNBC earlier this week and said committing to the T-wolves was a "no-brainer."
"I have worked really hard to get here," she said. "It's a big commitment and I am so excited to be a part of this team."
Physically, Lavigne will have to get a little stronger and she's prepared to do just that.
"Going against bigger girls, I know most of them do weightlifting so I will have to start upping my game in that, and just start playing faster," she said.
"I am hoping to be very strong in my tackles and distribute the ball well," she added.
Lavigne kept watch on the Timberwolves' progress this past season, a year in which they went 3-7-4 and qualified for the Canada West playoffs for the first time in their six-year league history. She's excited to join an ever-improving program.
"I was very proud when they got into playoffs," she said. "Looking at their results against those top universities, compared to years before, it was a big jump. I am excited to be a part of this program that is growing and achieving new things.
"I want to try to make myself a better player, just like most of the girls here have been doing. I just want to play my best and keep bettering myself."
Away from the field, Lavigne will study psychology while at UNBC.
