VANCOUVER – The UBC women's soccer team has a lot to live up to from their dream season of 2015-16. They not only won the 100th national title for UBC in the university's 100th year of existence, they also did it on their home turf of Thunderbird Stadium. To reach their lofty goals in 2016, the 'Birds not only have a new head coach in Jesse Symons, but also a newly appointed captain in midfielder Jasmine Mander. We chatted with the North Delta, BC native and UBC School of Kinesiology student for this edition of T-Bird Tell-All.


 
LC: Tell me about being named captain of the reigning CIS women's soccer champions.
 
JM: To be the captain of the team is such an honour. It's such a good group of girls and coaching staff we get to lead. It's definitely not just a role for me. It's a group effort. It's been an honour and they've been pretty nice.


 
LC: What's it been like having to overcome a severe knee injury?
 
JM: The injury was a big chapter in my life. Coming to UBC with an (injured) ACL and having to sit out, then parting ways with the program in my second year. At the end of the day I'm happy to be back and I think my family is happy to see me back doing what I love.
 
LC: How big of a role has your family played in your varsity soccer career?
 
JM: I don't think I'd even be playing varsity without my family. If I think about my influences it's obviously my dad and my brother. I was kind of chasing my brother around for the ball at a young age. Mom's been the taxi driver as well, so I've been a product of that. It's always nice to see them in the stands when they do that starting eleven.
 

Today's starting 11 vs @uvicvikes pic.twitter.com/VJgdr8cZfa

— UBC Women's Soccer (@ubcwsoc) September 3, 2016

 
LC: You will be getting your degree from the UBC School of Kinesiology at the end of this school year. Do you have any plans for a post-soccer profession?
 
JM: The plan is hopefully to apply for a Master's in physiotherapy, but I've also got some eligibility. So the plan is to keep playing as long as I'm having fun. I'd like to stay around sports and help athletes come back from injuries like I did. That would be ideal.
 
LC: Talk about your history with new UBC Head Coach Jesse Symons.


 
JM: Jesse has coached me since 2007, so we are getting close to that decade mark. He coached me when I was at the (Vancouver) Whitecaps little prospects program. It's probably been as fun for him to watch me grow up as it has been for me to work alongside him. He's definitely been one of my biggest influences when it comes to soccer