Greenbaum moves north of the 49th to attend UNBC

Anna Greenbaum head shot

Prince George, BC - While many of Canada's athletes are thinking about going south of the boarder to play - chasing that illusive NCAA scholarship dream - the UNBC women's soccer team has reversed the trend by committing Anna Greenbaum. Greenbaum will make her way from Colorado Springs, CO to UNBC for the fall of 2014.

Anna Greenbaum is a quick attacking midfield/striker from Colorado Springs, CO. Like most players Greenbaum started young, playing on her first club team was she was only eight years old and has continued to play club soccer until this year. Her love for the sport quickly transferred to her work ethic and skill level; advancing past her age group, Greenbaum has played a year up since the families relocating from Connecticut to Colorado. This year she will take a year off club and focus on her high school soccer as well as training with the boys team at Fountain Valley School of Colorado, the school Greenbaum will graduate from in May.

The move from Colorado Springs, CO (below Saskatchewan, halfway between the northern and southern US boarders) will not be an easy one but "its an adventure" said Greenbaum. "I moved from Connecticut to Colorado in my freshman year, and I'm looking at this the same. It's a new challenge." The positive outlook from Greenbaum is echoed by her father David. "We are really happy that she has found a good fit. She really liked the school and found it's a good fit academically as well as for her soccer."

Anna has two siblings, an older sister attending university in Chicago and a younger brother in middle school in Colorado Springs. Even with experience having one of his daughters move to attend university already, it will not make the transition of having his youngest daughter move north of the boarder easy. "Anna has been playing soccer since she was eight, and I think these will be the first games we haven't been to" mentioned David about the distance his daughter's move will put between her and her family. Anna's move will put her approximately 1500 miles or 2,600 km northwest of her home town, if you were to drive that in Canada you could get from Prince George, BC all the way to Thunder Bay, ON.
The move is not just about distance the Greenbaum's have also been getting a lot of questions about her decision to play in the CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) versus the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Associate) - the top university league for US schools. For many people the idea is that if you are good enough you go play in the states but Anna made the decision to go the other way based on the style of soccer at UNBC and its academic reputation.Anna Greenbaum action shot

"UNBC was the first school Anna visited and said I want to go there, so the decision was easy. She really enjoyed the type of soccer played at UNBC, it is very tactical which is a good fit for her" said her father. "It is a great opportunity to play for a great coach. The university [UNBC] was wonderful, so it seemed like an great decision."

A stand-out player for her club team Anna led her conference, region, and state in assist in 2013. In the 2014 season, Anna is currently leading the conference, region, and state in goals. For two years, 2009-2010, she was also part of the Connecticut Olympic Development Team.

In Anna's own words "I visited other schools in Canada and the States but they didn't have the same appeal. The soccer aspect and welcoming atmosphere was very fitting." For the 5'2 striker from Colorado Springs it was not about the prestige but where she was going to thrive and for her that place for UNBC.

Anna will join the women's soccer team at the end of August for their training camp in preparation for the 2014 season. For more information on the UNBC women's soccer team visit us at unbc.ca/timberwolves.

Contact Information

Jesse Olynyk
Sports Information Officer
250-960-6009