Women's Soccer 1/23/2023 3:33:00 PM Ontario Tech Sports Information

Former Ridgeback Sarah Harvey enjoying pro experience in Hungrary

Former Ontario Tech women's soccer player Sarah Harvey has signed a professional contract with Puskas Akademia in Hungary. The team competes in the Női NB I, Hungary's top women's football league.

Before signing in Hungary, Harvey played in Canada for Prostars FC of League 1, the top professional women's football league in Canada. Thanks to one of her coaches Josef Komlodi, and his connections with Puskas Akademia, she was able to receive an opportunity to try out for the club.

Harvey's season kicks off in March, and she's excited to start.

"I'm looking forward to the second half of the season, starting back in March, now that I am more familiar with the game's speed and the style of play," she said. " Hopefully, I'll be able to get/assist some goals for my team."

Harvey decided to play in Hungary because she knows the opportunities to play professionally in Canada are pretty limited. While this may be the case now, she has hope for women's soccer to continue to grow in her home country.

"Unfortunately, in Canada, the highest level we can play is League 1, and that season only runs from April to August," said Harvey. "I'm very hopeful that professional opportunities for women in soccer will change come 2025, as Canada Soccer has introduced plans for a professional league."

Before turning pro, Harvey played with the Ridgebacks from 2015-2018. Harvey recorded four goals and four assists in 32 games in her career. She also won an OUA championship and a U SPORTS bronze medal in 2016. Harvey's time with the Ridgebacks helped prepare her for becoming a professional athlete.

"Playing at Ontario Tech helped me in the early stages of my career by not only being able to deal with adversity, but to keep the mindset of consistently working hard, on and off the field," she said. "I definitely gained time-management skills from that, but I also have used my experience playing in the OUA to help motivate and drive myself to want to achieve more from my soccer career, such as playing professionally, like I am now."

Winning the OUA championship meant a lot to Harvey. She credits it as her favourite memory while at Ontario Tech.

"One of the biggest highlights of my time as a Ridgeback was definitely being a part of history. I was part of the squad that brought Ontario Tech's first-ever OUA championship banner, as well as getting bronze at nationals," she said. "These are moments I will never forget. And most importantly, I was able to do all of this alongside my best friend, Kaitlin Lantaigne - Ontario Tech's favourite dynamic duo."

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