Karina Bagi was just 11 when she first tried her hand as a goalkeeper.
Six years later, with a Canada West career and university education on the horizon, it香蕉视频直播檚 pretty safe to deem the experiment a success.
Bagi, 17, will head to Winnipeg next month to begin preparing for her freshman season with the
A keeper for both the BC Soccer Premier League香蕉视频直播檚 U18 squad and the Okanagan Mission Huskies, Bagi is excited about the latest chapter in her soccer career and education香蕉视频直播攅ven if means experiencing her first Prairie winter.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 expecting a lot of cold weather,香蕉视频直播� Bagi said with a laugh. 香蕉视频直播淏ut I香蕉视频直播檓 excited for the change, because that was one of my initial thoughts香蕉视频直播ot that I wanted to escape Kelowna or B.C. per se, but I just wanted a new experience, to get away and see where it all takes me.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 excited for the soccer, the school and getting to know my new teammates.香蕉视频直播�
With several schools香蕉视频直播攊n both Canada and the U.S.香蕉视频直播� showing a keen interest in recruiting her, Bagi connected with the University of Manitoba program last year at a Whitecaps香蕉视频直播� showcase camp in Vancouver.
Then, after a visit to the Manitoba campus and further contact with Bisons香蕉视频直播� coach Vanessa Martinez Lagunas last May, the Kelowna keeper was pretty much sold on the move to Winnipeg.
香蕉视频直播淭he coach (Vanessa), her knowledge of the game is so massive, she香蕉视频直播檚 played in Europe and on the Mexican national team and I香蕉视频直播檓 really looking forward to learning from her,香蕉视频直播� Bagi said. 香蕉视频直播淭he team was really welcoming, the university is really nice, and the facilities are amazing. It really was everything I was looking for.香蕉视频直播�
As a university freshman, Bagi knows she香蕉视频直播檒l be on a learning curve in Winnipeg, both on the soccer pitch and in the classroom.
If her work ethic and enthusiasm are any indication, TOFC executive director Kai Tolpinrud expects the 17-year-old Bagi to have success in the next phase of her athletic career and education.
香蕉视频直播淪he香蕉视频直播檚 extremely willing to train hard, she rarely misses training session, and she香蕉视频直播檚 striving to improve all the time,香蕉视频直播� said Tolpinrud, who also coaches Bagi. 香蕉视频直播淪he香蕉视频直播檚 aware of where she needs to improve and if she works on those areas, it should fall into place.
香蕉视频直播淕etting good education is No. 1,香蕉视频直播� Tolpinrud said of the benefits of playing university soccer, 香蕉视频直播渂ut the soccer part of it is a great bonus, getting to play at the highest level Canada has to offer.香蕉视频直播�
Along with playing the keeper position comes the inevitably of dealing with injuries and Bagi has had her share.
But while a wrist injury and three concussions have kept her on the sidelines at different stages of her soccer life, none have discouraged her from pursuing
香蕉视频直播淚 know concussions come with a risk and they add up, but I made the decision to go on, as one would,香蕉视频直播� said Bagi, who has a clean bill of health heading to Manitoba. 香蕉视频直播淚 have a passion for it, I香蕉视频直播檝e been playing soccer since I was four and I don香蕉视频直播檛 want to give it up. I香蕉视频直播檝e spent so much time on the field, training and preparing for this opportunity, I香蕉视频直播檓 going to stick it out and see it through.香蕉视频直播�
Bagi will see several of her TOFC teammates on the pitch next season in the Canada West conference. Eleven of 14 players on the U18 squad have signed on with U Sports soccer programs across the country.
Bagi, who will live on campus at the U of M, is enrolled in the Health Sciences program.
She香蕉视频直播檒l head to Winnipeg July 14, then join the Bisons when they travel to North Dakota July 17 for a preseason tournament.
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