Christine Fergin has a lot to be proud of when she dons the uniform of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s soccer team later this year.   The 5’7” outside defender from Waterloo, Ontario has the distinction of not only being the first recruit for 2014-15, but she is also the first player signed since the program enters CIS. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Christine Fergin in game action (photo contributed)[/caption] Fergin formally committed to the WolfPack after head coach Tom McManus made a scouting trip to Ontario in late February. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="327"] Fergin playing in an Ontario league match (photo contributed)[/caption] “ I’m ecstatic to be joining the soccer program at TRU,’ Fergin says.  “ The team has been extremely successful in the past, and I am looking forward to being a part of the transition to CIS.  I have had the opportunity to play against teams like McMaster, the University of Guelph, the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto with my club team so I am glad I know what the competition will be like in the CIS.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Christine Fergin (photo contributed)[/caption] Fergin plays for the Waterloo United U-18 “A” girls team in the Level 1 Ontario Youth Soccer League. The OYSL encompasses the top 12 teams in the province.  They finished second in their league in the 2013 outdoor season. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Fergin about to clear ball (photo contributed)[/caption] Her coach the past five years is Mark Garnett.  “Christine is very coachable, listens and responds well to coaching requests,” he says. “ As a player, she is very strong and adaptable to changes in the game and the players she competes against.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="285"] Fergin throws ball in (photo contributed)[/caption] Fergin was looking at Southeastern Louisiana University and Ryerson before choosing TRU. She will be enrolled initially in the Events and Conventions Management diploma program with an eye to transferring into the Bachelor of Tourism Management program in her final two years of school.  “ I chose to come to TRU because I absolutely love the feel of Kamloops and the university campus.  As soon as I arrived at the Kamloops airport (she did a tour of TRU in 2012), it instantly felt like home to me. People were extremely friendly and the view was beautiful. Once I had met with Tom and learned about the soccer program, it made me want to come even more. The way Tom spoke about the team , he made it sound like a family and that is what I am looking for.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Fergin defends (photo contributed)[/caption] Fergin considers her strengths to be as an offensive defender. “I really like to get into the play and move forward with the offense in order to assist with scoring opportunities. My distribution ability, clean left foot and comfort on the left side of the field are also aspects of soccer which I believe I am quite strong in.” Garnett, a transplanted South African who played in their Division I league says Fergin will adjust to CIS soccer easily. “ I have full confidence that Christine (affectionately known as ‘Pork Chop’) not only will compete but will be successful and be a valuable member of the TRU program.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] WolfPack head coach Tom McManus (centre) with assistants Natasha Little and Danilo Caron and the PACWEST championship trophy (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Says McManus: “ She is a strong player who has good speed and is strong in the air. With the openings we have on defense, she should fit in well.  I am positive she will come in fit and will push for a starting position. I am looking forward to her being here as she has an excellent attitude and is very coachable. She should be a quality player who I believe can play at the CIS level.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Madison Wells and Megan Baird (both holding PACWEST championship trophy) won't be back with the WolfPack in 2014-15 (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] The WolfPack, who won the PACWEST league three straight years and a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association bronze medal in 2013 have a number of openings on their back line.   Veterans  Madison Wells (Delta, BC),  Laura Smylie (150 Mile House, BC), Vanessa Zilkie (Kelowna, BC) and sophomore Megan Baird (Cloverdale, BC) are all not returning for the 2014 campaign.   Although the four have eligibility left,  Smylie and Zilkie are graduating from their educational programs this spring.