KAMLOOPS – The seven graduating members of the Thompson Rivers WolfPack women's soccer team have all taken different journeys to get to the WolfPack and have helped the program achieve more than ever before at the Canada West level while also being excellent leaders in our community.
BRIDGET BAIRD
With the 'Pack since 2022 Baird has played in 51 regular season games for TRU and has three goals and four assists to her name.
Graduating with…
I'm graduating with a degree in biology.
What's next for you?
I'm hoping to get into teacher's college and I'll be teaching science in high school. I'm hoping to get into the education program here and hopefully play again next season but it all depends on how my knee is doing.
What led to you making the decision to come to TRU?
It's just British Columbia, it's beautiful here. I love how much sun it gets here, it's really gloomy back home. I just love the sun, even when it's cold I love how it stays sunny.
How do you think you have grown during your time at TRU?
I've definitely grown a lot in these past five years. I think I've got pretty resilient and can handle anything that is thrown at me in the workforce I can handle after my time here. Just dealing with balancing school and soccer.
How do you think your teammates will describe you?
I hope my teammates remember me as someone who gave 100 per cent - even if we were losing 5-0 or winning 5-0 – that I just gave everything I had all the time.
What is your favourite WolfPack memory?
My favorite WolfPack memory is probably the playoff game against UVic here in my first year when I got brought down in the penalty box and Ainsley Grether stepped up to score the game-tying penalty kick. I honestly thought I was outside of the 18-yard box when I got fouled. I remember looking at the clock in the 80th minute and thinking that this could be the last time I players soccer this season so let's just go. I remember a girl falling on me and then being shocked when it was a penalty kick.
What do you have to say about your fellow grads?
It means everything to get to do this with them, I love these girls so much. When I got hurt in the preseason I was pretty sad because I really love this team, we have a really good group of girls and that just came out even more when I got hurt. Everyone reached out to me and has been really supportive and I just love my team so much, they are all my best friends and my family.
Do you have anything else to add?
I want to shoutout (TRU athletic therapists)
Morris Boyer and Kevin Brechin, I've seen them a lot these last five years and will probably see a lot more of them after just undergoing ACL surgery, they are awesome. Another person is (TRU strength and conditioning coach)
Lisa Northrup, I feel like she's pretty underappreciated and I love Lisa. Our coaching staff
Mark Pennington, Ben Spendlove and Angela Mathews.
BELLA GEREMIA
Also joining TRU for the 2022 season, Geremia has suited up in 44 regular season games for TRU. The steady defender has two goals and four assists to her credit and played a pivotal role in TRU's CW quarter-final penalty kick victory over the MRU Cougars in 2022 by assisting a goal in extra time as the WolfPack qualified for the CW Final Four for the first time in program history. Geremia is a three-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian
Graduating with…
I'm graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration, majoring in Accounting.
What's next for you?
I graduate in December and then I start fulltime with KMPG in September to get my CPA back in Calgary.
What led to you making the decision to come to TRU?
I met Mark at showcase before my senior year of high school. I had no idea where TRU was but he reached out to me, I came for a visit and then I just knew that TRU is where I wanted to go.
How do you think you have grown during your time at TRU?
I've grown immensely personally and on the field. I'm a completely different person from when I first came here. The team has really helped me with my confidence and in opening up and finding my extroverted side. It's been a journey, last year when I tore my MCL I knew that I had to find a different role with not being able to play and I took on more of an off the field leadership role and I've worked really hard at it. Alexis and I share the captain's armband this year and I'm really proud of us.
What is your favourite WolfPack memory?
The first one is when we hosted our first ever playoff game in my rookie year and we beat UVic in penalty kicks. All the other WolfPack teams in the crowd stormed the field and I was just in the middle of it. I remember being trampled and stomped on but it was a really cool memory. My second one is when we beat MRU in the quarter-finals, I assisted Alexis with the tying goal in extra time and then we won that game in PKs.
How do you think your teammates will remember you?
I hope to leave a legacy of leadership, hard work and being someone that people can rely on. Even if I'm not here, I'm only a phone call away and hope that I'm someone that they can rely on. I hope that they remember me not just as a soccer player but as human being that is there for them.
What do you have to say about your fellow grads?
It means a lot to do this with them. Me, Alexis, Makayla and Bridget all came in together as rookies so it's really cool to finish this journey off alongside them. Having Esi, Macyn and Berea join us is special, having a big group of us is going to make it even more special.
Anything else to add?
Just a thank you to my teammates, the coaching staff, the department but also my family, I wouldn't be here without them so thank you.
MACYN JOLLY
Joining the WolfPack in 2024 from the University of Calgary, Jolly has played in 12 regular season games for TRU and has scored one goal while adding a pair of assists.
What's next for you?
I have a couple options, something I want to do is a medical diploma. A big school for that is SAIT in Calgary so getting into either a sonogram program or an x-ray technician would be really cool. It's just matter of applying to those schools and hopefully seeing what I get into.
What led to you making the decision to come to TRU?
I was at the University of Calgary and things were good there, I liked the school and my teammates but I didn't really like the program I was in. I thought I would transfer into something more specific, so I transferred into Respiratory Therapy here and that was good for a while but I figured out that isn't exactly what I wanted to do. But that led me to realizing what I did want to do. I finished high school in Vernon so I already knew Mark and when he found out I wanted to transfer he didn't even ask for any video, we just chatted and it made the decision easy.
How do you think you have grown during your time at TRU?
I have definitely grown. Even at the University of Calgary I was a 17-year old that didn't really have a voice but when I came here I was already so much more confident. The people that I was surrounded by, I was able to be myself, be outspoken and feel that I've grown to be more confident and independent.
How do you think your teammates will describe you?
I just always wanted to be a positive person on the team. I think I was always able to find the humour in things and I always wanted to be the funny person on the team
What do you have to say about your fellow grads?
Even though it's been such a short time that I've been here, I just feel like I've connected with so many people. I'm so lucky to have had this experience alongside them.
Do you have anything else to add?
I'm just thankful for all the people I'm surrounded by, my teammates here and my old teammates even people from Calgary and TOFC and of course my family. I'm just thankful to have had this opportunity.
MAKAYLA KUSCH
With the WolfPack since 2022, Kusch has been an important member of the 'Pack for five seasons. The high-achieving student-athlete is also a four-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian.
Graduating with…
I'm graduating with a bachelor's in arts with a concentration in sociology.
What's next for you?
My plan is to graduate and then go to UBC for their education program and then become a teacher. Then I'd like to get a Master's and maybe get into the administrative side.
What led to you making the decision to come to TRU?
TRU gave me an opportunity to be part of a team and continue my soccer journey at the post-secondary level that I never really thought I never really thought I'd get. I knew I wanted to stay close to home and not move too far away because I'm really close with my family so TRU was the perfect place to be close enough but also give me the chance to grow independently and focus on my own path in soccer and school.
How do you think you have grown during your time at TRU?
Looking back five years I remember being this really quiet person on a team with a lot of older players that scared me. But through the years I believe that I've grown and matured learning through adversity and all the different challenges that come from living by yourself in a new environment and getting to know new people. Just getting the opportunity to be part of a team and surround myself with like-minded people was great and they pushed me to become the better person that I am today.
How do you think your teammates will describe you?
I hope they remember me as the teammate that always showed up to training no matter and always showed up for them as people. Someone that supported them and allowed them to be heard and be seen and made them feel included in the team.
What is your favourite WolfPack memory?
Probably our playoff run to the CW Final Four in my first year. Just hosting the first CW playoff game in program history and winning it in a shootout was immaculate, the energy was great. And then going to MRU and winning that in a shootout was unbelievable. Not everyone gets to experience something like that and you don't really understand that feeling unless you are involved in it.
What do you have to say about your fellow grads?
With the four of us that have been here for five years we have been through a lot, dealt with a lot both individual and team challenges but the fact that we are all still such a close, connected group means a lot and just shows that we can get through adversity and at the end of the day we can still just be close friends and a good group of people together.
ESI LUFO
The program's all-time leader in goals (13) and points (23), Lufo has been with the WolfPack since 2023 and will go down as one of the most decorated players in program history after earning a spot as a Canada West All-Star and a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian.
Graduating with…
I'm graduating with a degree in business.
What's next for you?
I haven't really decided yet because I love it here in Canada. I want to see if there are opportunities for me to continue playing here and if not, I will go back to Europe and play professionally because that's my dream – I want to be a professional player again.
What led to you making the decision to come to TRU?
Ever since high school I knew that I wanted something different, I wanted to play abroad. This opportunity showed up because Mark and my agent knew each other and at first I thought Kamloops was Vancouver so I had no idea what was going on or where I was going but everything worked out really well. At first it was hard of course because it was a new culture in a new country with new people around me but as the years passed I got used to it. I love it here now and it's going to be so hard for to say goodbye.
How do you think you have grown during your time at TRU?
When I first got here, I was shy and not very confident. Being here for four years, I have grown as a person, my teammates helped through it, my coach helped me through it so now I can say I'm a better person and more confident for what's next in life. It's a great experience that I will never forget and I'm thankful for everything.
How do you think your teammates will describe you?
I hope they say good things. I think I brought good energy and a lot of positivity to the team. I hope they remember me as a good person first and then as a good player. My legacy will probably be my headers, but the most important thing is for them to remember me as a good person and someone who gave everything to the team.
What is your favourite WolfPack memory?
Last year was the perfect year for me. Off the field I made a lot of new friends that I now call family. On the field was incredible with me breaking records, scoring a lot and leading the conference in scoring so I would say that year is some of my best memories. This year is even better though with us making the playoffs for the first time in four years and we are hoping for even more.
What do you have to say about your fellow grads?
I grew up alongside most of the girls graduating. Finishing this way by making the playoffs and with a great record in the regular season it makes me feel proud of them and myself for coming this far. This is a really important chapter in our lives and I'm really grateful for them
ALEXIS VIRGO
Missing just two regular season games since joining TRU in 2022,
Alexis Virgo has suited up in a program record 66 Canada West games. The product of Ottawa has four goals and four assists to her credit and scored one of the biggest goals in program history when she tallied the equalizing goal in time added-on in TRU's quarter-final triumph over Mount Royal in 2022. Virgo is a one-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian.
Graduating with…
I'm graduating with an arts degree majoring in psychology.
What's next for you?
The program I want to get into (Forensic Psychology within the Law) at SFU requires a year of research experience in a lab so after this I plan to move to Vancouver and look for different opportunities where I can get that experience.
What led to you making the decision to come to TRU?
Honestly, I had never heard of Kamloops. I was primarily looking at the US more than anything else but Mark asked if we could do a zoom call and I remember after the call tearing up because I knew this was the school I wanted to go to. It hit every criteria I was looking for and I got to stay relatively close to home in the same country.
How do you think you have grown during your time at TRU?
My confidence and leadership has definitely developed over the years. When you're learning from former WolfPack players like Camryn Curts and Ainsley Grether and Raiya Rumo it helps to bring out a different side of you. To try and follow in their footsteps the last couple months is something I've been working hard towards. It's also helped my relationships off the field in being someone that people can confide in.
How do you think your teammates will describe you?
I'd like to think that when I'm on the field it's a no BS kind of mentality, whether that's big clearances or putting my body on the line. I'll do anything in my power to make sure the ball stays out of our net is the legacy that I'd like to think I'm leaving behind. Off the field it's just being someone that girls can talk to as a friend.
What is your favourite WolfPack memory?
My favorite WolfPack memory is probably my first year in the playoffs against MRU. In the 89th minute I conceded a stupid foul outside of the 18-yard box that MRU scored from. I remember thinking that the game was over and we wouldn't be advancing but Mark put me up front and in extra time I was able to score the goal that tied the game and then we won in a penalty shootout. That's something that is going to live with me forever.
What do you have to say about your fellow grads?
People like Bridget and Makayla have been my anchors throughout this experience. On the worst days of my life and the best ones they've been there for me and I don't I could have gotten through these last couple of years without them. Esi and Macyn and Berea have all been great – I grew up with Berea so having her through this experience has been awesome. Having this group of girls to graduate with, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Do you have anything else to add?
I want to shoutout (TRU athletic therapists)
Morris Boyer and Kevin Brechin between all the injuries over the years, they have been able to put me on the field when I didn't think I could. Someone like Lisa (TRU strength and conditioning coach), who pushed me through the awful yo-yo test that keeps me up at night, just her patience with me has been awesome. The whole coaching staff has been great with me and I'm definitely going to miss them.
BEREA WOLDEYES
With the 'Pack since 2023 Woldeyes has played in 40 regular season games for TRU and has three goals and three assists to her name. Woldeyes is a three-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian.
Graduating with…
I'm graduating with a bachelor of communications and minor in business management.
What's next for you?
My next year will be finding work back in my hometown of Ottawa and saving up money for my master's degree. I want to go to the starts for my master's and study theology.
What led to you making the decision to come to TRU?
Before coming here I didn't know anything about B.C., I didn't really know Kamloops existed. My teammate
Alexis Virgo, who I grew up playing soccer with, was a big part in me coming here and learning about the program. Since then it's been a great journey, I've loved it here. It's completely different from what I imagined in high school but it's better than I could have planned for sure.
How do you think you have grown during your time at TRU?
I've grown in many aspects. TRU has taught me so much about being independent and being responsible. Meeting all the demands of being a student-athlete has helped me grown not only athletically but as a person.
How do you think your teammates will describe you?
I'm hoping to leave a legacy of positivity. Keeping a good attitude and loving others is really the legacy I hope to leave behind. Just respecting and loving the people around me.
What is your favourite WolfPack memory?
There are too many to list but one moment that stands out to me is getting a tie against UBC (breaking UBC's 44-game CW winning streak). It just shows the work we have been putting in the last four years and getting a result like that as a team with so many new players is honestly one of my highlights.
What do you have to say about your fellow grads?
It's been really good doing with this all of them. It's honestly a privilege to get to do this with a teammate of mine from youth soccer in Alexis, she's been a rock for me the past couple years. I've grown really close with the other seniors as well so it's just been a really positive, great four years. The girls have meant so much to me and just building such close relationships that I can see lasting the next seasons of my life for sure.
Do you have anything else to add?
Shoutout Mark. He has been a really supportive coach the last four years. All the staff has made my experience here unforgettable so I am just so grateful.
