sports@mapleridgenews.com
The University of the Fraser Valley women’s soccer program has gone local with its recruiting, and among the eight standouts from across the Fraser Valley are two Maple Ridge women.
Halle McCambley and Kareena Sahota will join the UFV squad next fall.
Both play in the EA Sports BC Soccer Premier League, as Sahota plays keeper with Surrey United, while McCambley is a midfielder for Coquitlam Metro Ford.
McCambley began her BCSPL career with Fraser Valley Premier, helping the team to the provincial final at the under-14 and U16 levels before moving over to Coquitlam Metro Ford. In 2016, she earned an all-star nod at the Vancouver Whitecaps Showcase.
“Halle is a hard-working central midfield player, and I think her work rate and soccer intelligence will help her at the university level,” UFV head coach Rob Giesbrecht said. “We look forward to her transitioning into our team, and with her inspiring work rate we are confident that she will make the physical progress necessary to develop into a contributing player.”
She attends Thomas Haney Secondary.
“UFV is an amazing school with a great team that I am honoured to be a part of,” McCambley said. “I want to help the team as much as I can, and win championships. And UFV’s got a great nursing program that I’m really excited to hopefully be a part of. And in practicing with the team, they’re all amazing girls and I’m excited to get started.”
Sahota won a pair of provincial titles this season. She won a Metro championship with Port Coquitlam, and also joined Surrey United for its run to the BCSPL crown. She’s experienced success at the regional level, helping the Fraser Valley zone squad win gold at the 2016 BC Summer Games.
“Kareena has really come on in her last few years of youth soccer,” Giesbrecht said. “We like her potential to continue her development with our program, and see how far she can take her game. She’s a very good shot-stopper, and we’re thrilled she’s joining us.”
Sahota attends Westview secondary.
“I found that UFV had great academics and great athletics as well,” said Sahota, who will pursue a criminal justice degree at UFV. “That was big for me, and it’s close to home. I want to win a championship during my time here, and build bonds with the team.”
Giesbrecht said the recruiting for 2019 has stocked his team with both quality and depth.
“We’re thrilled with this class,” Giesbrecht enthused. “The quantity and the quality of this class is impressive. We’ve brought a few players in who I think are going to contribute immediately, as well as some players who might take a bit of seasoning, but down the road can all be exceptional U SPORTS soccer players.
“Having depth in Canada West women’s soccer is so important because of the competitive nature of the league. We look forward to this group increasing the competitive culture in our team. All UFV women’s soccer team members know that regardless of whether they’re an incoming first year or a returning fifth year, they will have to battle for their desired role.”