From Youth Soccer and LVR to University of Calgary, Nelson's Luke Mori makes the most of his university opportunity
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By Bruce Fuhr
The Nelson Daily Sports
Throughout his Nelson Youth Soccer career Luke Mori was always one of those players a little ahead of the pack.
So it really should be a surprise to no one that the talented midfielder earned a spot on the roster of the University of Calgary Dinos.
And not just one of those red shirt positions where the player just trains with the varsity club.
This 18-year-old graduate of L.V. Rogers has successfully made the Dino roster and is getting a ton of minutes for the 3-1 Canada West squad.
“When I made it past the final two cuts I was very relieved to know I had made a spot for myself in the Dino’s Soccer Program,” Mori said from Cowtown.
“(Then) once I found out I made the starting 18 I felt that all my hard work had shown that I can accomplish what I set my mind too.”
“I’m very excited I get to represent myself at U of C coming from a smaller but also very competitive soccer league,” the 5’10”, 160-pound Mori added.
Mori’s road to Calgary began in the spring during a tryout camp.
His hard work and higher skill level caught the eye of coaches who offered Mori a tryout during summer training camp.
Mori hit the ground running in August and, following a few sleepless nights while the coaching staff finalized the roster, Mori was handed a Dino’s jersey.
“I was told I made the team after two weeks of tryouts during a training session,” recalls Mori, who might have a little difficulty living in cowboy land liking all music except country.
“The news of the starting roster came in a email the night before we headed to Saskatchewan to play U of S (University of Saskatchewan) and U of A (University of Alberta in Edmonton).”
The first game in Saskatoon was not the best for the Dinos, losers 4-0 to the host squad.
However, Mori logged 20 minutes of playing time.
But just like the Dinos fortune improved, so did Mori’s.
The son of Corinne and Michael Mori saw his playing time improve to 50 minutes while U of C edged the provincial rival 2-1 at Foote Field in Edmonton.
Mori’s time increased again during a weekend set against Lethbridge.
“The level of intensity is much higher (playing university soccer). It’s played at the highest pace at all times,” Mori explained. “I felt very confident on the field, was able to distribute the ball very well and even had a few chances to score.”
Mori’s recent success once again should not be a surprise.
The business major helped Nelson Selects U18 squad win the provincial championship in 2010, was selected the MVP during a high school tournament playing for the LVR Bombers last season and was selected winner of the Golden Boot during the school’s award ceremony.
Mori & the Dinos continued its winning ways during the weekend posting a home-and-home sweep of Lethbridge.
The impressive start has Calgary tied for top spot in Canada West standings with Saskatchewan.
Alberta and UBC are tied for third.
The Dinos return to action Saturday hosting Trinity Western of Langley Saturday and University of Victoria Sunday — both games at West Varsity Soccer Pitch in Calgary.
No doubt Dino freshman will be on the pitch at his right midfield spot remaining ahead of the pack.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
