麻豆社区

Whitehorse native Jackie Harrison donned the University of Victoria Vikes jersey for the final time Saturday, leading her club to a bronze medal in the Canada West championships.

The Vikes beat the UBC Thunderbirds 3-1 in penalty kicks, with Harrison scoring one of her team's three goals in the shootout.

UVic rebounded to win bronze after losing a heartbreaker 2-1 to the Trinity Western Spartans in double overtime the night prior.

That loss cost the Vikes their shot to compete for a berth in the CIS national championship.

"It is definitely a bittersweet ending, but I'm looking forward for new things to come,鈥� Harrison told the Star in an email.

"The bronze medal game was tough for both UVic and UBC to play in, both mentally knowing we had not made nationals, and physically due to our hard-fought battles the night before.

"However, I am proud that my team was able to pull through and win the Canada West bronze in shootouts,鈥� she said.

"Even though making nationals was mine and my team's ultimate goal, winning the league and winning bronze at playoffs was still a positive ending to our season.鈥�

While the fifth-year player and Vikes captain scored in penalties, she said it was keeper Tanya Jones who "really won the shootout鈥� by making several key stops.

The University of Victoria hosted the Final Four conference playdowns at Centennial Stadium. Last year, the Vikes won bronze at nationals and Harrison was named a Canada West all-star.

"The loss in the semifinals was definitely a heartbreaker,鈥� Harrison said. "It was a well-fought game, but at the end of the day, we weren't able to get the result we hoped for.鈥�

The parity between the four teams competing for the Final Four was remarkable, she added.

"The strength in our conference is unquestionable,鈥� she said. "Any team could have taken it.鈥�

Head coach Tracy David said losing Harrison will leave a gaping hole on the team's midfield and in her heart.

"There aren't as many Jackie Harrisons within teams these days as you might think,鈥� David said yesterday afternoon from Victoria. "She was very committed, and very committed to getting better. Jackie has always believed in the program and has worked really, really hard to become the player that she is today.鈥�

David said that Harrison battled her way off the bench early in her career at UVic and soon became the player leading the Vikes into battle.

"In the last two, three years, I would never think to go into a game without having Jackie Harrison by my side,鈥� David admitted. "I have the upmost respect for her as an individual and as an athlete. What she's brought to our team is kind of indescribable.鈥�

Despite graduating from UVic last year, David said Harrison took an extra semester of courses to try and carry her team to a national title.

"She's such a quality individual,鈥� her coach said. "She did that to help us try to get to a national championship and win ... that was the whole goal, and I really appreciate the sacrifice she has made for our team.

"Jackie is the embodiment of someone who believed in the end result and worked her way to get there. She believed in the dream and she got there.鈥�

Harrison is now aiming to take the next step in her professional career and attend veterinary school.

Looking back on her time with the Vikes, Harrison said she would do it all over again if she could.

"My experience with the Vikes has been amazing,鈥� said the former F.H. Collins Warrior. "Playing a varsity sport while attending a great university has made my past five years that much more memorable.

"It was certainly more difficult being a student-athlete with regards to time management etc., but it is definitely worthwhile and I wouldn't have done it any other way.鈥�