The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women's soccer team is starting to unveil their recruiting class for the 2019-20 season.

The first is Rylee Mugridge of Maple Ridge, BC.   The 5'6" midfielder will be graduating this spring from Thomas Haney Secondary.  Mugridge played club soccer with Surrey United.
"I loved the campus and the 'small school' feel," says Mugridge about her campus visit.  "The stadium (Warner Rentals field at Hillside Stadium) is a great facility. I can't wait to experience the atmosphere on game days."

Mugridge believes her strengths are as a good communicator, having good vision and being opportunistic.

Her head coach at Surrey United is none other than University of the Fraser Valley men's head coach Tom Lowndes.  Under his direction, Mugridge and her teammates captured the Premier Provincial Cup and League Cup titles.  "Rylee has a high level skill set and I think she has the chance to play early in her career," he states.  "She will need to adjust to the speed of play and the level of athleticism in Canada West."

Lowndes believes that her strengths are her Soccer IQ, vision, tenacity, physicality, work rate and attacking qualities. He adds, "Really proud of Rylee for pushing herself and achieving her goals of committing to university soccer. I am excited to watch her grow and develop at the next level. She has all the tools and qualities to be really successful at the Canada West level and I can't wait to see how she does.

Paul Franco is her high school coach at Tomas Haney and says Mugridge helped her junior team win the district and regional championship as a grade eight and has played senior soccer since grade 10.  "Rylee is very coachable and versatile. We can play her at any position but have used her mostly as a striker because of her excellent touch, knowledge of forward and impressive finishing skills. We have won many matches because of her."

He adds, "Our school teams are composed of a diversity of skill levels from house players to HPL. Rylee is a wonderful teammate by making others better. She is always positive and encouraging to the lower skill level players genuinely wanting to help them grow. She has a modest demeanor and liked by all players and coaches."
Mugridge is looking forward to joining her new team, "They have a tight family feel which made me feel super comfortable when I practiced with them.  This is important to me as I will be moving away from home and that could be intimidating."

She is entering the Bachelor of Nursing program at Thompson Rivers and had looked at Fraser Valley, Regina and Victoria as possible schools to go to.

New Wolfpack head coach Mark Pennington states, ""I am really excited to have Rylee join our program. She possess all the tools and the right personality to excel at the U SPORTS level. Rylee's desire, intensity and 'bite' on the field exemplify the direction I want this program to move in. I look forward to working with Rylee and hope she will have a successful University soccer experience."
 
The WolfPack plan more recruit announcements shortly. 

THROW INS- Franco has this anecdote about Mugridge, "In 2016, during the championship match in the Fraser Valley championships, she scored what could have been the winning goal.  Due to an officiating error, the goal was discounted and we ended up losing the final, losing our chance to be repeat champions.  Rylee was the first and probably the only player on the team to immediately accept our fate; she exemplified incredible sportsmanship.  She kept her cool and settled the remainder of our heated team.  She was internally upset from the loss but displayed incredible humility and professionalism.  An absolute role model for hard work, determination, and positive character."