Lockerby's O'Link: rising star in the soccer world

BY SCOTT HADDOW

Lockerby soccer player Kayla O'Link is an athlete who goes out of her way to find new ways to challenge herself.

This year she has set a high bar for herself and has every intention of clearing the goals.

For the 2008 high school league, O'Link wanted to be one of the top goal scorers in the AA/AAA Division. She answered her own challenge by ripping 17 goals in just six regular season games to lead all AA/AAA Division goal scorers.

This summer, O'Link is again challenging herself to new heights as she's trying to land a spot on a men's team in the Sudbury Regional Competitive Soccer League in the First Division.

O'Link is currently trying out for the Sudbury Athletic Soccer Club. It's unclear if O'Link would be the first female to play in the top mens' league in Greater Sudbury. If she isn't the first, she's likely one of the very select few females to try it. Needless to say, a female hasn't played at the top level in the men's league in recent memory.

The thrill of a hard challenge drives O'Link to be the best she can be. O'Link passed on being part of a provincial travelling squad this summer so she could work a job full-time and earn money for university, which she plans to attend in the fall of 2009.

"I've always played at the highest level in soccer, and I thought trying to make it into the men's league in Sudbury would be exciting and a great opportunity for me," the 17-year-old said. "It's not that I don't want to play on a provincial team, but I am now focusing on things for the future like university. I might have regrets, but I know what is important."

Steven Lowen, head coach of Sudbury Athletic, is monitoring the situation carefully. He says he sees in O'Link a strong on-field vision, a great understanding of the game and an overall skill set. Lowen said if she can earn a spot, O'Link will benefit and be more prepared for the university level.

"Kayla is a good team player," Lowen said. "She can anticipate the play and make good decisions about what she'll do with a ball before she gets it. Playing in the league would help her a lot for university. The play is more aggressive and faster by nature...she would gain a lot from that experience."

In the high school league, O'Link was the best player on the best girls' squad in the AA/AAA Division. Soccer enthusiasts know about her explosive scoring ability and how it has improved over the last three seasons as she went from four goals in seven games in 2006 to 21 in eight this year. She's more than just an offensive nightmare to opposing goalies.

"Kayla is so talented offensively, but what impresses me the most is her defence," Lockerby head coach Jeff Falcioni said. "She's a true all around player. She can score a lot of goals, but she also sets up a lot of goals too. She's a winner, knows how to win and definitely doesn't like losing. When we need something, she's the type of player to go do it... she's what you would call a money player."

When it comes to actually playing soccer, O'Link's first love is her high school team.

"I play with a terrific group of people at Lockerby and I love playing soccer for my school," the Grade 11 student said. "I find there's more spirit and personality playing high school soccer compared to club. It's great to be part of the school and a winning team and bringing back banners. Friends from school come out to watch and paint their faces...it's all very exciting."

O'Link takes her role on the team seriously and approaches each match with a professional attitude.

"My main thing is to try and be a go-to player," the striker said. "I like pressure and being the one who tries to score or set up important goals. I try to be a leader through my actions...I also try to be consistent, which I feel is important. I thrive on winning. If I don't win, I try to get something out of the game to continue getting better. You can learn the most when you lose."

Giuseppe Politi, who coached O'Link for a few seasons in the Panhellenic system and played Ontario university soccer, easily confirms O'Link's passion for the sport and sees a bright future ahead for her.

"She's a very serious competitor...she sets high standards for herself and aspires to lead by example," Politi said.

"She possesses an excellent first touch...and undoubtedly she can make an impact at the university level."

O'Link is currently with her Lockerby teammates at the AAA OFSAA championship in Hamilton. Although she has another year of high school, O'Link is thinking about university soccer. O'Link admits she's looking to play in Ontario right now, but also confesses to the fact she changes her mind a lot and could end up going elsewhere if the right deal came along.

For now, O'Link will focus on trying to make the men's team.

"I want the chance to prove I can play in the men's league," she said. "I'm sure there's people doubting me...it's big challenge for me, but I like those challenges."