Falling back in love with the beautiful game

Heading into her final year of high school, University of Victoria Vikes women’s soccer player Jaclyn Sawicki was checking out possible scholarship opportunities in the States when she experienced something that causes many young, talented, high performance athletes to quit sports that they once loved.

“I was just burnt out, I was sick of doing the same thing everyday. There had been so many years of playing soccer, and I guess I wanted something more,” she says.

Up until being scouted for the Whitecaps development program at the U17 and U18 levels, Sawicki, from Coquitlam, BC, had been selected to play for a BC team every summer while also playing for her hometown’s club side.

Although Sawicki had always known that she would go on to pursue a post-secondary education, soccer was no longer a priority until she spoke to Tracy David, head coach of the Vikes women’s soccer team.

“I just thought that Victoria was the perfect balance—getting the university experience, being away from home and still getting to play…. My team is my second family. There were 11 rookies in my first year, and we spent a lot of time together. I think that’s part of the reason why we’re so strong this season; we’ve spent the past two years growing as a team.”

In grade 12, Sawicki had been identified for the national team pool of players, and this past summer, the third-year midfielder was selected to be a part of the Under-20 Canadian National Team travelling to Japan to compete in the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.

Sawicki spent the 2012 UVic spring semester juggling her Vikes commitments with scholastic duties, as well as a demanding junior national team training schedule. In July, the team went on back-to-back trips tpo Montreal, Italy and Switzerland before a two-week rest and then finally landing in Japan. The Canadian women won their first game against the Argentinians but then dropped to second place in their pool after losing to Norway. A match against Korea DPR resulted in a loss for Canada, and the team did not qualify for the second round of competition.

For Sawicki, finding a balance between school and soccer can be a challenge. “When I’m away it’s definitely hard to do work, being on tour is really exhausting. When I’m here and when I’m with the Vikes it’s fine because I have my routine and they’re so supportive.”

Playing with the Vikes has rekindled Sawicki’s love of the beautiful game and she would not trade these past two years for anything, “I don’t regret my decision at all, I’ve met so many awesome people and I love my team. If anything, they’ve made me love the game even more.”

The Vikes have not yet lost a match this season, and with a record of 6-0-1 they are right on track for a Canada West league title. The Vikes’ only draw comes from their first game against the reigning CIS National Champions, the University of Alberta Pandas.

The University of Victoria Vikes women’s soccer team will be looking to cap off their year with a national title as they host the 2012 CIS Women’s Soccer Championships from Nov. 8–11. As hosts, the pressure of qualification is off the table, and head coach David can focus on using the regular season games to ready her team for the biggest competition of the year.

For Sawicki, ignoring the pressures and expectations following her time with the national team will be paramount, “I just need to get out there and play.”