WSOC: Dynamic forward Maxine Millar to bring grit, talent to Timberwolves Soccer

Women's Soccer
April 17, 2023

The University of Northern British Columbia Women’s Soccer team was looking for a dose of skill, mixed with an injection of grit and toughness. With the commitment of talented Maxine Millar, the Timberwolves think they’ve found just that, making it official today that the forward would be donning green and gold for her Canada West soccer career.

“Well, I have been playing for fifteen years, so it has always been a goal of mine. It has been a while. Whenever I was a kid, I dreamed of it. It’s really exciting. I have been working towards this my whole life. It’s a privilege to be on the team.”

Millar met UNBC coach Neil Sedgwick in the fall, and the Timberwolves bench boss quickly identified the 18-year-old’s dynamic approach to the game and willingness to develop as major assets for her soccer career. Millar visited UNBC’s Prince George campus this spring, where she was able to tour the facilities, watch the TWolves train, and better understand the program’s approach and mindset.

“I think he (Sedgwick) is very honest, which is something I appreciate. To learn from my mistakes is something that could really help me become a better player. I like the smaller school. I feel like it’s a nice environment and everyone is very welcoming.”

Standing five-foot-seven, Millar plays bigger than her frame. Possessing great speed, the Delta Coastal Selects product is eager to make contact, inviting physical battles for possession. Once she has the ball, Millar is creative and skilled in her dribbling and distribution.

“I am kind of aggressive, but I also like dribbling and taking the ball. I like to work hard and keep going and driving with the ball. You have to keep going mentally. Something that is really important to me is the team. I love the hard work and the competitiveness that it requires. I am really competitive.”

Millar, who has earned a pair of MVP awards at the high school level, as well as Team MVP for Grandview Heights at the provincial championship, suffered a knee injury recently, so will redshirt the 2023 U SPORTS season. Sedgwick believes the newest TWolf has the chance to get healthy, while continuing to develop into an impact player for the green and gold.

“I am really excited to welcome Maxine to our program. Maxine has deep connections to Prince George and we were thrilled that she had interest in studying at UNBC. I see Maxine as a shifty attacking player who causes problems for defenders as a dribbler; however, she also has a tenacious defending mindset. We are looking forward to Maxine’s contributions in the years to come.”

Millar will graduate and enroll in UNBC’s general studies program with the eventual goal of becoming a paramedic. She will join her UNBC teammates for training camp in August and continue a soccer journey that began when she was three years old.

“It felt surreal at first because it was so exciting. It was really surreal because this is obviously something I have experienced before. It is exciting to be part of this process and I am ready to see what comes next.”