For Kamloops native Allison Hill, her first season with the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack has been one to remember.
The rookie forward made an immediate impact, scoring three goals during the regular season, including one against UBC that snapped the team’s impressive 25-game shutout streak.
Hill has been part of a historic season for the WolfPack women’s soccer team, which put together the best season in program history in Canada West. Now, as the team gets ready for playoffs, Hill is looking forward to what’s next as she continues to make her mark in her first year wearing the WolfPack jersey.
Ω Can you walk me through how you decided to commit to the WolfPack?
It’s always been the goal of mine. I grew up getting coached by a lot of the men’s players through the Kamloops Whitecaps program. So that really inspired me, seeing their love for soccer and their connection to each other. That really brought me to wanting to be a part of a team like that, and I’d known my coach, Mark, for a long time, so I think he had been a part of that as well. I grew up watching all the games, so it really inspired me to wanna be a part of that environment.
Ω What was going through your mind when you had the opportunity to officially sign with the Wolfpack?
I was just so excited. It’d been like a dream for a really long time, so to get the opportunity and to get the offer to sign, I was super excited. The moment I got it, I was just like “Yeah, this is what I wanna do.”
Ω Now that you are nearing the end of your first season, has it been like what you were expecting?
It’s definitely been a rollercoaster. There’s been some really good highs and really good lows, but I’ve gotten a lot more playing time than I expected at the beginning of the season. My goal was to roster for every game. So, getting to play almost 90 minutes in every single game has been a really, really good opportunity and not something I was expecting. I think I’ve definitely had some highs and lows, but I think I’ve had a really successful season so far, and I’m really proud of what I’ve been able to contribute to the team.
… it was probably the lowest of lows and then the highest of highs like two minutes later
Ω Earlier in the season, you were given the opportunity to take a penalty kick, but unfortunately missed it. Just a few minutes later, you bounced back and scored your first goal of the season. Can you walk me through that moment and what was going through your mind, especially being a rookie and getting that first goal?
It was actually a crazy story because I won the foul, and then Esi [A fourth year forward on the team] usually takes our penalties, but she got injured earlier in the game. So I was like, “Okay, I guess I’ll take it.” And I was like, I’d been hitting them in practice, so I felt confident, and [then] the goalie saved it; I was devastated. But two minutes later, I found myself in the box again, hit a volley, and it went into the back of the net, and it was just so crazy. I think the moment feels like a dream.
It was really amazing, especially right after missing a penalty kick; it was probably the lowest of lows and then the highest of highs like two minutes later. It was a really crazy experience, and I’m just really happy it all worked out in the end.
Ω Being a rookie, you’ve already taken on a pretty important role on the field, including stepping up to take the penalty kick when Esi was injured. How did it feel to be trusted with that responsibility so early in your university career?
I think it was definitely a proud moment knowing that my teammates trusted me. Like, obviously I didn’t convert it, so that wasn’t great, but I felt really grateful that my teammates had trusted me. I [Have] the trust from my coach as well to get lots of minutes and to contribute on the field.
This is definitely far beyond whatever I dreamed of when I joined the team. I think anything that we accomplish from now on is just a bonus, and I think it’s, it’s super awesome that I get to be a part of this.
Ω Your second goal of the season came against UBC, and it was a pretty significant one, as it broke their 25-game shutout streak. What was that moment like, knowing you were able to score against such a strong team and end a streak like that?
That was super, super exciting, and I was just really proud that I was able to do that for our team ’cause our team has worked really hard to be successful this season. I think it was just really special to be able to put that in the net to show how hard our team has worked; not just me, but the whole team has worked to get here.
Ω Have these moments, like scoring on UBC, helped your confidence this season?
Definitely a lot. I love scoring goals, so when I’m not able to get on the scoresheet, it doesn’t hurt me, but it doesn’t help, I guess. In the spring, I had a bit of a rough season. I scored a couple of own goals, and didn’t score any goals. I think getting on the score sheet this year has been really helping my confidence.
Ω The team has had a really strong season, what has it been like to have been apart of it so far?
This is so exciting. This is definitely far beyond whatever I dreamed of when I joined the team. I think anything that we accomplish from now on is just a bonus, and I think it’s, it’s super awesome that I get to be a part of this. Especially [that] it didn’t happen last year when I wasn’t on the team; it’s happening now when I get to be on the team, so I’m really excited that I get to be a part of it and I didn’t miss out.
Ω What do you think has made you guys so successful this season?
I think definitely our togetherness. Everyone on and off the field, we connect really well, at practice we work really hard, and in the lifts we work really hard, everyone just shows up every day ready to go. Just overall, team work ethic has been really good.
Ω Now heading into the playoff weekend, are you excited that you guys get to host the game at home, and how do you think the home-field advantage will affect the team?
Very excited. I think that’ll be really good. For one, we don’t have to travel, so bus legs and being on a plane won’t factor in. We get to eat at home and sleep in our own beds, that will be good, and our fans are just so amazing, definitely getting the energy from our fans and families will be really awesome during the game.
Ω For you, is there anything special about being able to represent your hometown team while playing for the WolfPack?
Definitely. Every time I put on the jersey, I get excited that this is where I came from, and I get to represent my friends and my family. Also, seeing my family in the stands every game is really awesome, and getting to say hi to them after–it just makes me really proud that I’m able to represent Kamloops and where I come from.
Ω Just to end it off, if you could give any advice to a young soccer player in Kamloops that wants to play for the WolfPack one day, what do you think you’d tell them?
I would say just dream big. You can achieve anything. When I was little, I didn’t think I was on the right track, but I just kept working really, really hard and making the right connections, and I think that’s what got me here. So I would say anyone can accomplish anything, and just keep working hard.