Dutch goalkeeper Ursem sets WolfPack shutouts record in sophomore campaign

The sophomore posted her fourth clean sheet of the season in a 1-0 win over the Fraser Valley Cascades on Saturday (Sept. 26) in Kamloops to snare the eighth shutout of her career – the most of any WolfPack goalkeeper since Canada West inception in 2014.

Danielle Robertson was the previous record holder, with seven shutouts in 44 matches. Ursem has played 19 matches.

“We’re super proud and pleased for her that she took the clean sheet record in basically less than a season and a half,” WolfPack men’s soccer head coach Mark Pennington said.

Added Ursem: “It’s really great actually. I’m so happy I already have the record and it’s only my second season. I’m hoping for more.”

Ursem was playing for professional club Telstar in North Holland before making the move to Kamloops in time for the 2025 U Sports campaign.

She said the intensive pro experience helped her to avoid homesickness in Kamloops. Ursem hit the ground running with the WolfPack, posting four clean sheets in 13 matches last season to earn U Sports and Canada West all-rookie team honours.

“She had some offers to go to the U.S.,” Pennington said. “We brought her and the family over and did a visit. They really liked Kamloops and what we had to offer. We went out for dinner and the mom asked me about some of the individual accolades she can aspire to. I said the first one is getting in the rookie team and trying to be a U Sports all-rookie. She hit that. Now, it’s about her being defensive player of the year and continuing to try and get into all-star teams. She’s a really good kid. Those aren’t her motivations. Her motivations are team-based, but it’s nice when she gets some recognition, too.”

Team defence also deserves recognition, with the WolfPack allowing only two goals in six matches.

“Defensively, we’ve been really, really solid,” Pennington said, acknowledging tougher tests lie ahead on the schedule. “From our shape, we’ve been really difficult to score on.”

Added Ursem: “I think the back three has been committing so much to it. Everyone is really fighting for the ball.”

This season, Ursem has a .33 goals-against average (fourth-best in Canada West), two goals against (tied for third in league) and .943 save percentage (third in league).

“She instills confidence in the back three and even in the team,” Pennington said. “You know you’ve got a safe pair of hands back there, you know she’s going to come and claim stuff and her distribution is great.”

Undefeated TRU (3-0-3) is slated to square off against Trinity Western (4-2-2) on Saturday in Langley before returning home to host the Fraser Valley Cascades (2-4-2) of Abbotsford on Sunday.

Game time is 5:30 p.m. at Hillside Stadium. The WolfPack would be silly not to accept Hagelslag donations at the gate.

“That’s my typical breakfast, but I can’t eat it here because they don’t have it,” Ursem said.

by Marty Hastings

Dutch goalkeeper Ursem sets WolfPack shutouts record in sophomore campaign

Our Community