Not only did Whistler’s Harrison Shrimpton play a starting role with the UBC-Okanagan Heat men’s soccer team this season, he played a starring role in the team’s run to a bronze medal in last weekend’s Pacific Western Athletic Association Provincial Championship.
In his freshman year, Shrimpton wound up playing the full 90 minutes of most games at centre fullback, helping the team to its first provincial tournament appearance since 1998. The bronze, which UBCO earned with a 3-2 win over the University of Northern B.C. Timberwolves in Sunday’s (Oct. 30) third-place game in Kelowna, was the Heat’s first medal since 1992.
“Over the season, our goal was to make provincials and do well and work our hardest to take first and move on to nationals,” said Shrimpton. “(At the beginning of the year), if we had been told we would be awarded bronze in provincials, I don’t think we could have dreamed that and we’re all pretty happy about that.”
The Heat finished third in their division at 4-2-5 to qualify for the tournament. After knocking off the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Eagles 1-0 on penalty kicks in Friday’s (Oct. 28) quarter-final, the Heat fell 3-0 in a Saturday (Oct. 29) semifinal to the Vancouver Island University Marines, who went on to repeat as champions. Shrimpton was selected as UBCO’s player of the game in the loss.
As a first-year player, the Whistler Secondary School grad quickly moved his way up the depth chart to become a regular on the back line, paired in the middle with team captain and fourth-year veteran Dustin Luck.
“I came in not expecting a lot of playing time… but right away, I earned myself a starting spot,” said Shrimpton. “I learned a lot from the players and coaching staff. It was definitely a lot different than I was used to playing youth soccer. It was a huge step up, but I adapted the best I could and I know I’ve improved tremendously from the environment I’ve been playing in.”
The Heat managed to put together their best season in nearly two decades despite a new head coach and an extremely young roster. With that in mind, Shrimpton said the team appears to be in great shape for the 2012 season.
He’s also hoping the Heat can achieve more success next season with longtime friend and fellow Whistler resident Cam Baker, who redshirted for the team this year.
“We’ve been playing soccer all our lives together… and I’d enjoy it a lot if he was able to (play),” said Shrimpton. “He deserves it. He’s a great player… he just needs to keep working hard like he is.”
