The two time defending PACWEST champion Thompson Rivers University WolfPack  women’s soccer team have signed their first recruit for 2013-14. Head coach Tom McManus is pleased to announce that centerback Megan Baird of Cloverdale, BC has agreed to join the team beginning in the fall of 2013.    Baird will be taking courses aimed at a Bachelor of Business Administration at Thompson Rivers. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Megan Baird-newest member of the WolfPack soccer team[/caption] “I am very excited on becoming a part of such a winning organization as the WolfPack,” says Baird, who played for the TSS U-19  elite program in Richmond, BC  as well as for her high school team.  “I can’t wait for the new experiences and people I’ll meet at TRU.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Tom McManus-WolfPack head coach at 2012 CCAA Nationals[/caption] McManus says Baird will be a welcomed addition to the squad: “ She plays at central defence where Blair MacKay (5^th year, Kamloops, BC) played.  She is excellent in the air, very composed on the ball, great first touch and distributes very well. I have watched her for a year now and she will be a strong addition.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Baird in action (photo submitted)[/caption] Baird’s Clayton Heights Secondary school finished 10 th at the 2011 BC “AAA” soccer championships. Her coach for the last five years at the high school and club (Surrey United/Surrey Guidford United) level was Shana Bains. “ Megan is a well rounded player,” she said. “ She is very hard working and wants to see the result (whether it’s a goal or making sure it’s a good pass) successful.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Baird in action from 2012 (photo submitted)[/caption] “I think I am versatile, mentally focused and have a consistent, effective corner kick,” Baird says about her strengths. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="132"] Shana Bains was Megan's high school and club coach (photo submitted)[/caption] Bains says that Baird is a perfect fit for the WolfPack’s  “excellence on the pitch, the classroom and the community philosophy.”  “She is very well aware of her responsibilities,” she said pointing to the high school team where Baird and another player took charge of warm up responsibilities as grade 11’s.  “ She is a take charge type of player.” Bains says the newest WolfPack is a perfect fit for a team looking to move to CIS in the future.  “ She is very committed and works hard.”   She has coached a number of players who have moved onto University soccer and says Baird is in her top five best players she has ever coached. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] Brendan Quarry-TSS Girls program coach (photo submitted)[/caption] Her coach at TSS is the director of the girls program, 12 year coach Brendan Quarry.  “Megan is exceptionally athletic and a fierce competitor,” he says. “ In the last five years of coaching grade 12 girls, I have never seen a player who can defensively head the ball like Megan.  If I were a striker up against her, I would be very uneasy.  She has explosive pace and will slide tackle any opponent who gets a step on her.  Playing for TSS in the Premier Women’s league over the last year has helped her understand the commitment to compete at that level.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] Baird heading with TSS (photo submitted)[/caption] He agrees that the WolfPack got a ‘blue chip’ prospect in Baird:  “ For me, there’s little question that Megan will make an impact at the PACWEST or CIS level.  She was one of the most sought-after players in our U-19 program.  She was coveted by top CIS schools, as well as those in NCAA Division I.” As for her development in the last year?  “ TSS is very committed to playing thoughtful soccer. We play the ball out of the back and try to retain possession until there’s a meaningful opportunity to attack forward. This is always challenging for players who come from environments that don’t all emphasize the same approach. Over the last year, Megan has made huge advancements in her technical ability and decision-making.  At TSS, we want our defenders to get on the ball as much as out midfielders. We also want them to be thoughtful in possession. This is where Megan has made big improvements. Not only does she defend with venom but she will pass the ball out of the back and build up the play.”   CORNER KICKS:  Baird was also looking at the University of Victoria, University of Fraser Valley and Wilfred Laurier.  She knows one of the veteran players on the WolfPack.  Her Surrey United club team travelled to Sweden a couple of years ago with another squad which included defender Madison Wells (Ladner, BC). [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] WolfPack defender Madison Wells at 2012 CCAA Nationals in PEI[/caption] Quarry has an interesting anecdote about Baird: “ Last summer we competed in a Washington State tournament. We played a Crossfire team with a very speedy striker. After watching the first five minutes of the game, I turned to the bench and said “ that striker is going to cause some problems.”  A few minutes later, that same striker ran up the wing with the ball and Megan came charging in with a clean slide tackle which sent this player up in the air. For the rest of the match, that striker was completely quiet and unnoticeable.”