MSOC: Timberwolves add blue chip midfielder Wyatt Lyon for 2023 Canada West season

Men's Soccer
April 6, 2023

The University of Northern British Columbia Men’s Soccer program has added a blue-chipper to its 2023 recruiting class, officially announcing the commitment of sublime central defensive midfielder Wyatt Lyon for the upcoming Canada West season, and beyond.

“Playing at the highest level has been my goal for a long time and UNBC is the best option for me. I really like the school, the campus, and all the guys. I really realized university was the best option a year and a half ago, so I have just been working my way up to this point since then.”

A physical, skilled, and steady defender with the ability play up the pitch, Lyon visited UNBC’s Prince George campus in February. He had a chance to tour the university’s facilities and train alongside the Timberwolves varsity roster; a visit he confirms was critical in his decision to join the green and gold.

“I really like the campus. I like the First Nations ties, and the way that it is very outdoorsy. I like the facilities here; they’re super nice.”

Lyon plays his high school soccer for Reynolds Secondary, where he trains under the watchful eye of coach Aarlen Story.

Considered one of the best players in the BC Soccer Premier League, Lyon plays for the Vancouver Island Wave program for coach Ryan McCurdy. Standing six-foot-two with a powerful frame, he has the physical tools to step in and make an immediate impact at the U SPORTS level.

“I’m a big, strong defensive midfielder who likes to get on the ball and control the game. I also like to play physical and put in a good tackle. I think the biggest adjustment will probably be the physicality. Coming from playing against players around my age to play against full-grown adults.”

Lyon is poised on the ball and decisive in his processing; evident by his ability to hop into Timberwolves training and look immediately comfortable. That comfort comes from the 18-year-old’s lifetime of work on the game, and the welcoming environment created by UNBC head coach Steve Simonson.

A product of Courtenay, BC, Lyon’s path to UNBC is not unchartered. The 2022-2023 edition of the TWolves had seven players from the Victoria area, and Simonson leads the Victoria Highlanders program in the League1 BC summer season. The reigning U SPORTS Coach of the Year has been tracking Lyon’s development, and sees his newest commitment as a major get for the Timberwolves program.

“I am thrilled to welcome Wyatt to our team. Wyatt is a top player coming out of the VI Wave BCSPL program. He is a versatile player, able to play in the middle of the park or start the attack from a central defender role. I was very impressed with his technical quality and composure on the ball when he visited UNBC. His character is exceptional, and I think his future at our level is extremely bright. Today is a good day.”

Set to graduate from Reynolds in June, he intends to study biochemistry and molecular biology at UNBC. He will join his new teammates for training camp in Prince George in July, and take another step in a soccer journey that started when he was just four years old.

“Steve is a great coach and I really like the way he holds a presence on the sideline and in training sessions. I think playing with, obviously, some very good players is great and will help me improve a lot this year.”