She's a senior in high school and what a year it's turning out to be for Dauphin's Nicki Bich on the soccer pitch.
In the last week, Bich and the rest of the Dauphin Clippers women's soccer team have hit the pitch four times. In those four games, the 18-year-old has been crushing the opponents as she's scored 10 goals.
But, just because she's been having a career season, Bich doesn't feel like she can take all the credit.
"I mean of course it's a great feeling, but it's all happening because of the team," said Bich. "I wouldn't be able to do what I've done without all of the girls out there. We've done such a great job of communicating this season and we're just really coming together. We're just so great together."
"Nicki takes pride in her soccer and she's always working hard on her ball handling and her gameplay," said David Byckal, Head Coach of the team. "She definitely has a great view of the field. She's been with us for four years and every year she's done fantastic for us."
Bich and the rest of the Clippers will now play in the Minnedosa tournament this weekend. That'll serve as a tune-up for the Zone Championships which take place next Thursday right here in Dauphin.
"We've come a long way," said Bich. "Our confidence went a lot higher after we beat Gilbert Plains 10-0 earlier this week. We know if we work hard as a team, anything is possible for us."
"We're seeing tremendous improvements every time we hit the pitch," said Byckal. "All the young players are getting more comfortable playing with the older ladies and things are going well."
Leading up to that tournament in Minnedosa and eventually the zones, Byckal knows how important Bich's success is to the team.
"She's a leader out there and all the girls feed off her," added Byckal. "She's a big part of our team and offence. If we want to have success in zones, we need her to play how she has for the past four years with us."
Looking forward to those Zone Championships, Bich and the Clippers will play against McCreary in their first game. If they win and the top-seeded Swan River Tigers win, the Clippers would battle the Tigers for a spot in the provincials.
This season the Clippers have struggled against the Tigers losing both games by scores of 3-1 and 3-2. But, in the past, they've owned the Tigers when it comes down to the big show.
"We've beaten them six times in a row at the Zone Championships to go to provincials," said Bich. "Everyone on this team really wants to make it seven straight. I think if we just work really hard, stay committed to the gameplan and capitalize on our chances, we'll be good."
After this season, Bich will graduate from high school and move to Winnipeg. Although the next chapter of her life will bring new great things, she wants soccer to remain in her life.
"I want to play for sure after high school," said Bich. "We'll see what kind of teams are out there and if it works out, I'd love to play."
"Different schools have already been talking to her in the past about playing on their team," said Byckal. "I hope she continues playing soccer because she has tremendous talent and she's just a fantastic kid. She really takes pride in what she does, and she has a bright future."
For everything Clippers including the women's soccer team, keep it locked here to 730CKDM.com.
