Jaclyn Sawicki is a real gamer.
Upon returning from the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup in Japan, Sawicki was given a few days off by University of Victoria Vikes' coach Tracy David to recover from the event and the long flight home.
However, the 19-year-old Sawicki was having no part of that, returning immediately to the Vikes' workouts at Centennial Stadium.
"I love the game of soccer and I want to be back on the field with my UVic teammates,'' said Sawicki.
"Anytime you represent your country, it is a huge honour. Unfortunately, we didn't do as well as expected. But, I will learn and grow from that experience.''
Team sa国际传媒 finished with a 1-2 record in Group C and failed to reach the quarter-finals. Team sa国际传媒 opened with a 6-0 win over Argentina before dropping 2-1 decisions to North Korea and Norway.
"I didn't play in the last two World Cup games so I actually feel fresh,'' said Sawicki, who has also had some training sessions with sa国际传媒's women's national team. "That was my first World Cup and overall, it was wonderful. We didn't have much time away from soccer but when we did, I found the people from Japan to be great and wonderful hosts.''
The Vikes opened up their sa国际传媒 West exhibition schedule on Thursday with a road game against the UBC Thunderbirds. The Vikes travel to Trinity Western tonight before returning home on Saturday for a 3 p.m. contest against Warner Pacific from Portland at Centennial Stadium.
Sawicki is entering her third season with the Vikes and she is hoping that her teammates can feed off her energy.
"When I'm on the field, I have good vision and I'm aware of my teammates.
We were building in my first year with the Vikes. The expectations are very high this year as we have improved. If we work hard all year, we can do well.''
The Vikes open the sa国际传媒 West season on Sept. 7 at Centennial Stadium against the University of Alberta Pandas. Game time is 5 p.m. The defending Canadian Interuniversity Sport champion UVic men's team will kick off its campaign on Sept. 7 against the University of Northern sa国际传媒 from Prince George at 7: 15 p.m.
The Vikes also have home games on Sept. 8 with the women meeting Mount Royal and men battling UNBC again.
As the host team, the UVic women already have a berth locked up for the CIS championships, Nov. 8-11 at Centennial Stadium. [email protected]
