Fraser Valley – In a historic achievement for the University of the Fraser Valley women’s soccer program, Bryana Buttar has been named the Canada West rookie of the year.
The award, voted on by the conference’s head coaches, recognizes the enormous impact the Abbotsford, B.C. product made with her hometown university squad this season. She becomes the first-ever CW rookie of the year for Cascades women’s soccer.
Buttar signed with the Cascades as one of the most touted recruits in program history. Her highly decorated youth career featured a stint with Canada’s U15 national team, three years in the Whitecaps Girls Elite program, and a 2018 BC Provincial Cup with Surrey United.
Her jump to the university ranks this season was seamless. She finished third on the Cascades in goals (three) and points (five), while making an impact all over the pitch with her athleticism and competitive edge. Last Friday, she scored the game-winning goal in UFV’s 1-0 first-round playoff win over the Alberta Pandas.
“It’s a great honour for a great young player,” Cascades head coach Rob Giesbrecht enthused. “Bryana came into our program with some pedigree, and she exceeded expectations with the magnitude of the impact she had on our team. She’s emerged as a young leader for us. Her work rate, her commitment, her soccer IQ and her drive make her the special player she is.”
