Ahead of the 2024 Canada West soccer season, the UNBC Timberwolves are adding another key piece to what has already been a memorable 2024 recruiting class. Head coach Neil Sedgwick announced today that playmaking midfielder Maresha Manulak (Chilliwack, B.C.) has committed to the TWolves for the 2024 season and beyond.
“I’m nervous and excited,” shared Manulak who visited the UNBC campus and trained with the team in late January of this year. “If I had told my Grade 9 self [that I’d be committing to play Canada West soccer] I would have said, ‘No way, you’re lying.'”
Manulak, a soon-to-be graduate of Sardis Secondary, didn’t start playing soccer full-time until three years ago. At the club level, the talented multi-sport athlete most recently played for Paige and Jeff Skinner at Coastal??U18 BCSPL. At the high school level, she captured back-to-back team MVP honours at Sardis while cementing her place on the Honour Roll. Her plan is to study business at UNBC.
Her impressive list of scholastic and athletic accomplishments also include:
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MVP honours for Team Ireland in two separate Youth Nations Cup matches.
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A Player of the Year nomination for Surrey United BCSPL.
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Numerous provincial medals in Speed swimming.
Manulak described her skillset as follows: “I’m not a selfish player. I really like to distribute the ball. My distribution is probably my strongest point. I always have my head up and always looking to play through balls to the corners.”
“Maresha is another player in our 2024 class who has shared a focus and desire to grow as a player and contribute to the steady build of Timberwolves Soccer,” added head coach Neil Sedgwick. “Watching Maresha perform and support her teammates has me believing that her solid character and playing foundation will help her reach new heights while in Prince George.
During her January visit to UNBC, Manulak immediately noticed that communication was a big strength of the Timberwolves – a team characteristic that played a big part in swaying her decision to commit.
“They’re all really good at communicating, on and off the field. Everyone can be a good player, but whether they have the on-and-off skills, but everyone has that here,” concluded Manulak. “It’s really refreshing to get feedback from Neil and everyone. I liked being in that environment.”
UNBC Athletics is thrilled to welcome Maresha Manulak to the UNBC Timberwolves family.