One of the most highly touted goalkeepers in Western Canada has decided to play his university soccer career in green and gold. Today, the University of Northern British Columbia Men’s Soccer team officially announced the commitment of Logan Pierce for the 2023 Canada West season, and beyond.

“Super, super exciting. Growing up in a small town, it has always been a dream of mine to come out and play university soccer, so having the opportunity to do so really makes me happy. Playing at the highest level I could has always been a goal of mine since I was four or five years old. Obviously, Canada West is a great division. Super competitive. Every year, any school can go and play at Nationals.”

A product of Campbell River, Pierce plays his club soccer for coach Stephen Hall with the Campbell River Golden Wings of the Vancouver Island Soccer League. The talented netminder led the VISL in clean sheets in 2021-2022, turning heads across the province.

Pierce visited UNBC this Spring, where he had a chance to train alongside the Timberwolves varsity roster, under the watchful eye of reigning U SPORTS National Coach of the Year, Steve Simonson.

“Training with the guys has been great. This level of play is perfect. It is super quick. It is something I haven’t seen before, but it is something I really, really love. Steve is obviously a great coach. I have only been up here a few days, but he has already taught me so, so much. I can’t wait to learn from him even more.”

The 17-year-old impressed his future teammates with his skill and poise on the pitch and his character off of it. Brimming with leadership qualities, Pierce left an impression on the current TWolves. The feeling, clearly, was mutual, as the goalkeeper came away from his visit to UNBC’s Prince George campus knowing he had found the right place to continue his soccer and academic journey.

“Obviously, the campus is super nice. The town of Prince George reminds of home back in Campbell River. A small town, good people. It’s a really good place. And the facilities that UNBC have are state of the art. Nothing I have ever seen before.”

The 2022 FTF Canada First Team All-Star has a quick first step and an approach that utilizes his physical and mental abilities to his advantage. He will work with UNBC goalkeeping coach Rob Goodey to continue to grow and refine his game, and be ready to make the leap to the highest level of university soccer in Canada.

“I’m about six-foot-four. I consider myself to a bit more of a traditional goalkeeper. I grew up as a natural shot-stopper so my distribution is a work in progress, but I am really, really happy to learn.”

Pierce plays his school soccer for Carihi Secondary, where he has served as varsity captain for the past two seasons, leading the school to a BC Provincial sliver medal; the best finish in program history. The shot-stopper also led the Tyees to a pair of Island Championships, and was twice named the Most Valuable Player of the Carihi Classic. Simonson has been tracking his newest commit’s progress for a number of years, and identified him as a tremendous addition to the program.  

“We are really thrilled to add Logan to our team. Logan is a highly touted goalkeeping prospect and we are very pleased to have him join us. We have a history of high-quality goalkeepers in our program, when you look at names like Ty Venhola, Rob Goodey, and Daniel Zadravec. Logan further strengthens our current goalkeeping team, and I truly look forward to the impact he will have on our program.”

Pierce will graduate from Carihi in June, and intends to enrol in UNBC’s Arts program, focusing on history. He will join his new teammates for training camp in July, and continue a soccer journey that began when he was just five-years-old.

“When I was growing up, I played striker and I played in net. It was something I always enjoyed. When it comes down to it, I can be the guy who decides the game. I like that feeling. I am definitely looking forward to my first game. It will be an honour to represent my hometown of Campbell River. I just want to come in here and make an impact as soon as I can.”