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害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檚 U18 squad and the Okanagan Mission Huskies, Bagi is excited about the latest chapter in her soccer career and education害羞草研究所攅ven if means experiencing her first Prairie winter.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 expecting a lot of cold weather,害羞草研究所� Bagi said with a laugh. 害羞草研究所淏ut I害羞草研究所檓 excited for the change, because that was one of my initial thoughts害羞草研究所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.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 excited for the soccer, the school and getting to know my new teammates.害羞草研究所�
With several schools害羞草研究所攊n both Canada and the U.S.害羞草研究所� showing a keen interest in recruiting her, Bagi connected with the University of Manitoba program last year at a Whitecaps害羞草研究所� showcase camp in Vancouver.
Then, after a visit to the Manitoba campus and further contact with Bisons害羞草研究所� coach Vanessa Martinez Lagunas last May, the Kelowna keeper was pretty much sold on the move to Winnipeg.
害羞草研究所淭he coach (Vanessa), her knowledge of the game is so massive, she害羞草研究所檚 played in Europe and on the Mexican national team and I害羞草研究所檓 really looking forward to learning from her,害羞草研究所� Bagi said. 害羞草研究所淭he team was really welcoming, the university is really nice, and the facilities are amazing. It really was everything I was looking for.害羞草研究所�
As a university freshman, Bagi knows she害羞草研究所檒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.
害羞草研究所淪he害羞草研究所檚 extremely willing to train hard, she rarely misses training session, and she害羞草研究所檚 striving to improve all the time,害羞草研究所� said Tolpinrud, who also coaches Bagi. 害羞草研究所淪he害羞草研究所檚 aware of where she needs to improve and if she works on those areas, it should fall into place.
害羞草研究所淕etting good education is No. 1,害羞草研究所� Tolpinrud said of the benefits of playing university soccer, 害羞草研究所渂ut the soccer part of it is a great bonus, getting to play at the highest level Canada has to offer.害羞草研究所�
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
害羞草研究所淚 know concussions come with a risk and they add up, but I made the decision to go on, as one would,害羞草研究所� said Bagi, who has a clean bill of health heading to Manitoba. 害羞草研究所淚 have a passion for it, I害羞草研究所檝e been playing soccer since I was four and I don害羞草研究所檛 want to give it up. I害羞草研究所檝e spent so much time on the field, training and preparing for this opportunity, I害羞草研究所檓 going to stick it out and see it through.害羞草研究所�
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害羞草研究所檒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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