With four goals and five assists in her first four games for the SAIT Trojans, Langdon soccer player Mackenzie Georgsen has had no problems transitioning to the college level.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder, who graduated from Chestermere High School in June, has made an immediate impact with the Trojans’ offence in the early weeks of the 2019 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) season.
“It’s been awesome,” said Georgsen, who played her youth soccer with Chestermere United FC. “It’s definitely different than the level of soccer I was playing in Chestermere. And then there’s having practices every day after class and things like that, but it’s been great and it’s a great team. Our training has, overall, been very intense.”
Georgsen wasted no time in opening her account for the Trojans, scoring her first goal in SAIT colours Sept. 8. The Langdonite’s tally, which came following a corner kick, was the Trojans’ only goal in a 2-1 loss against the Olds Broncos in the first game of the season
Her ability to find the back of the net continued the next day, when Georgsen scored her second goal in a 5-2 defeat against the University of Alberta-Augustana.
She then turned playmaker the following match, assisting twice in the Trojans’ 6-0 victory Sept. 15 over Red Deer College.
“She’s got the skill and understanding of the game that really help her a lot,” said head coach John Talerico. “She’s a more physical player, because she has the build for it, and ACAC is a physical league.
“So far, she can handle it. She’s been doing great and has been a great addition to the team.”
The goals and assists kept coming in the next two games – Georgsen added two more goals and three more assists, for a total of four goals and five assists in her first four games. She leads the ACAC in assists, and was named the conference's Female Athlete of the Week for Sept. 22 to 28.
Georgsen admitted she had some first-year jitters coming into the Trojans’ training camp, but said her motivation to prove herself catapulted her to a strong start.
“Coming into our first game, I wanted to show the team and the league I’m a force to be reckoned with,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-year player or a veteran.”
Her favourite part of playing in the ACAC, she said, has been the higher intensity of the games, as well as the added aggression.
“Playing against college girls, obviously there’s a range in ages, which has been very good,” she said. “You want to be at your best level every game, so you put a bit of pressure on yourself.”
Off the pitch, Talerico said Georgsen’s strong personality has allowed for her smooth integration into the team.
“She jokes around a lot, which is good, because it eases the tension with all the other players,” he said. “Being a rookie, that’s unusual, but it’s great to see.”
Georgsen, who is studying architecture, said she always planned to attend SAIT. However, the thought of playing for the school’s soccer team didn’t cross her mind until she was competing in a women’s soccer tournament last Christmas alongside one of the Trojans’ assistant coaches.
“She heard I was going to SAIT and said I should try out for the team,” Georgsen said. “She invited [Talerico] to come watch me play, and he came to me after a game and said, ‘I’d like to sign you.’
“I never really planned on playing college soccer, but I had the opportunity and knew I’d probably regret it if I didn’t take it.”
For a full schedule of SAIT’s games, visit bit.ly/2mlPrfv
