SPARTANS GET EARLY COMMITMENT FROM TOP THREE RECRUITS-Wright, Meyer and Funk to suit up for TWU in 2008
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Women's Soccer (Announcement)
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Recruit Signing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SPARTANS GET EARLY COMMITMENT FROM TOP THREE RECRUITS
-Wright, Meyer and Funk to suit up for TWU in 2008
LANGLEY, British Columbia - Forward Nikki Wright (Cloverdale, B.C.), midfielder Tessa Meyer (Surrey, B.C.) and goalkeeper Kristen Funk (Calgary) have agreed to suit up for the Trinity Western University beginning in the fall of 2008, Spartans head coach Graham Roxburgh announced today.
"We are extremely happy to be able to have three individuals of this caliber commit to our program," said Roxburgh. "They are three of the best that we have ever had commit to TWU and will really have a positive impact on our soccer program."
Wright resides in Cloverdale, B.C. and attends Langley Secondary. The 5'7" honours student is also a member of Langley FC is currently a member of the Vancouver Whitecaps U18 travel team. The 2007 Langley FC Metro Player of the Year is planning on studying Kinesiology and Athletic Therapy at TWU. "I've always thought that education was number one. When I found that I could not only get a great education, but also play quality soccer in a great environment, I jumped at the chance to come to TWU," commented Wright.
Wright is considered to be one of the top strikers coming out of high school. In 2006-07 she scored 18 goals while adding five assists in 18 matches and this season she has scored seven goals and added two assist in seven matches. She has also earned 2007 BC Secondary School Soccer Provincial MVP honours and was named Langley FC U14 Most Outstanding Player of the Year in 2004.
"I feel that in Nikki we are adding a player and person that will be an immediate impact both to our team but also within Canada West. Nikki is quick, possesses the ability to run at players and both score goals and create chances for others. She already has a mature understanding of the game and in my opinion at an early age has the qualities that make others around her better. I am so excited that she is coming to TWU. Not only have I been impressed by her play attributes, but also as a person, she will add great things to a solid core of people," said Roxburgh.
Meyer resides in Surrey, B.C. and attends Enver Creek Secondary. The 5'10" honours student is also a member of the Vancouver Whitecaps Women's Prospects Club and has been a member of the Canadian National team player pool since 2005. The British Columbia Provincial Team member (2005-2008) is looking to study pre-medicine at TWU. "I am very excited to attend Trinity Western University in order to pursue my career and athletic goals. Trinity is a great school that I feel honored to represent as a student and soccer player," commented Meyer.
Meyer has won numerous championships during her young career. She earned bronze and silver medals respectively at the 2005 and 2006 All-Star Nationals, was a Provincial Cup Champion in 2003 and 2004 and was a Metro League Champion from 2004-2006.
"From the moment I first say Tessa play, I knew we needed to do all we could to recruit her to TWU. She is the type of player that influences the game by her midfield presence. She is talented, passes the ball well, works hard in midfield to be a ball winner and has that little bit extra as a player that I believe will make her at stand out player at TWU and in the CIS. As I have gotten to know Tessa, I am even more convinced that we have added an impact player to our program. She embodies so much of what we want to be about, character, strong academics and top notch player with leadership qualities," said Roxburgh.
Funk resides in Calgary, and attends Central Memorial High School. The 5'6" honours student is a standout for the Calgary Foothills Soccer club and is looking to study Human Kinetics at TWU. "I chose to come to Trinity Western because it has a great atmosphere, and I believe the Human Kinetics program has a lot to offer. I enjoyed every aspect of my weekend visit to Trinity Western," said Funk.
In addition to playing for her high school and club team Funk has represented Alberta as a member of the U14 Provincial team and twice as a member of the U16 Provincial team. She has also participated in the National Training Centre Prairies in 2006-2007.
"I had heard great things about Kristen as a goalkeeper and as a person and that we would want to have her as part of our team. That was confirmed when I spent time with her and watched her train. She possesses great keeper instincts, has a dominating presence and is an outstanding shot stopper. I am impressed by what I see in her as a person also. In recruiting Kristen we have added a player that will make us very strong in the goalkeeper position for years to come," commented Roxburgh.
The Trinity Western University women's soccer program won Canada West titles in 2004 and 2006 and the CIS championship in 2004. This past season the Spartans finished the season ranked No. 10 in the CIS. As hosts of next year's 2008 CIS Women's Soccer National Championships the Spartans will be making their third national championship appearance in five years. The Spartans entered Canada West and the CIS in 2001.
As official members of Canadian Interuniversity Sport, the Spartans compete in six sports in the Canada West division of the CIS: Men's and Women's Soccer, Basketball and Volleyball. In the 2006-2007 season the Spartans sent four teams to the CIS national championships earning a silver medal in men's soccer and a bronze medal in men's volleyball as well as earning three Canada West championships - men's volleyball and men's and women's soccer. TWU's Josh Howatson also earned the school's first ever BLG award for CIS Male Athlete of the Year. In eight years as members of the CIS the Spartans have won two national titles (women's soccer in 2004 and men's volleyball in 2006), seven CIS championship medals and six Canada West championships.
Trinity Western University, located in Langley, B.C., is a not-for-profit Christian liberal arts university enrolling over 4,000 students this year. With a broad based, liberal arts and sciences curriculum, the University offers undergraduate degrees in 38 major areas of study ranging from business, education and computer science to biology and nursing, and 13 other graduate degrees including counselling psychology, theology and administrative leadership. For more information, visit TWU's Official Athletics site at www.twu.ca/athletics.
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Last Updated: 2009-09-03
Email: ssstew@twu.ca