His UNBC Northern Timberwolves women's soccer team didn't win a game at the provincial college level last season. But coach Mato Mikic completely supports the plan to enter the Canada West Universities Athletic Association in 2012.
"I think it's a good idea," he said. "I believe, as of now, we have a pretty good squad to compete in Canada West, especially if they are going to a Tier 2 [division]. And personally, I was coaching high school for seven years and you've got single-A, double-A, triple-A and quadruple-A. That doesn't mean quadruple-A is better than triple or double. It all depends on what kind of players are attending the school at that time. So I believe that Canada West is a stronger division than what we are in right now but I don't think it's that huge of a difference."
In 2010, as a member team in the B.C. Colleges Athletic Association, the Timberwolves played to a 0-11-1 record. Mikic pointed out, however, that he lost seven potential starters prior to the season. He also said UNBC's support for the soccer program is now much stronger because of the addition of athletics director Jason Kerswill, who was hired last July to fill a long-vacant administrative position.
"Jason is doing an excellent job to get all the teams organized and we've got more support recruiting," Mikic said. "We've picked up seven players already that I've been watching for the last couple years and I know they're all good players."
Mikic is referring to graduating high school stars Sydney Wilson, Sydney Hall, Jo Ribeiro, Jordan Hall, Regan McMillan and Tanya Grob, and also to Caitlin Lamble, who played last season for the Iowa-based Ashford University Saints.
In a new development, Mikic has also welcomed striker Emily Kwitkoski to the program. Kwitkoski is finishing her Grade 12 year at Duchess Park and Mikic said she'll provide instant offence for the T-wolves.
"So that's another good addition to our team, along with the four or five returning players that are expecting to be back," he said. "I'm also looking to recruit some more players from [a Showcase tournament in Burnaby] on Easter weekend so things are looking pretty good. Not only that, there are three graduates coming up next year and then a whole bunch of U-16s that are graduating in two years. I believe that we can hold the majority of those kids in town, so if we're looking at a longer period of time, things are looking really good."
