Toni Powsey, a graduate of Highland Secondary and the Riptide soccer program, was selected women’s soccer athlete of the week, Oct. 9, in the Northwest Athletic Conference.
The sophomore defender attends Peninsula College in Port Angeles, Wash.
The NWAC website says: ‘Powsey has been a key component of a stout Peninsula defence.’
Her team is undefeated after 14 games this season. The Pirates have shut out their opponent in 10 of the games, and allowed just five goals.
“Toni has been great for us this year in a variety of positions,” said Pirate head coach Kanyon Anderson. “She has played every position across the back line and has offered great leadership in doing so. She trains well and is committed to a team-first mentality. The future is very bright for her, and we feel very fortunate to have such a wonderful person and player at Peninsula College.”
Riptide co-ordinator Shel Brodsgaard recalls meeting Powsey at age 10 at one of his residential camps on Denman Island. Despite being the youngest at the camp, she sang an Adele song at the top of her lungs at the mid-week talent show.
“Through the years, there have been a variety of moments in which her strength of character always shone through,” Brodsgaard said, noting her tenacity as a pre-teen playing with her older brother and his friends. “Toni has always been driven by hard work and perseverance…In speaking with her Peninsula College coach when he was recruiting Toni at the Starfire Showcase three years ago, he could not believe her strength of character. In her first season at the school, she immediately demonstrated leadership qualities well beyond her years.”
In her freshman year, Powsey was selected a Pirate team captain.
“When I saw her for the first time this summer after her first year at Peninsula College, she looked amazing,” Brodsgaard said. “She was stronger physically and generating happiness throughout her entire being. Toni has found a place to pursue her dream of playing soccer after high school in a challenging and rewarding environment, and it has been a pleasure to be a small part of her journey.”