Kelly Cook played her last game for the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds on the weekend.

The team's bronze finish in the tournament wasn't enough to earn them a spot to compete in the nationals.

But the 22-year-old defender is leaving the squad with an armful of accolades, including first-team Canada West all-star, second-team Canadian defender, and many more over the past few years.

"It was bittersweet. I feel like I've been there forever, but also like it just went by so fast. It's a bit of mixed emotions," Cook explained about her five seasons on the team.

"I've played soccer my whole life, so it is part of my identity," she said.

She started off as a three-year-old playing soccer on a boys' team in Maple Ridge. Shortly thereafter, she joined the Burnaby Titans and her parents Paul and Debbie made the daily sacrifice to commute back and forth between Burnaby and Maple Ridge,

so that she could continue to play soccer even though she went to school in Maple Ridge.

Cook celebrated her 15th birthday in Germany while playing on Team Canada U16.

"We were knocked out pretty early, but it was a good experience and I got to see a bit of Germany," said the centre back defender, a position she has played since U10.

She attended UBC on an athletic scholarship and has finished all the requirements for a major in sociology, but has 12 electives left to take. She chose to focus more on soccer and take fewer classes over the past five years.

When asked about having a mentor, she explained that there are soccer players she looks up to, but it's her parents who top the list.

"I really look up to my mom, who was instrumental in my soccer success. We always talk about it. I always say you're a pushy broad, but thank God for it."

Cook also credits her dad for supporting her.

"My dad has been extremely supportive, and a strong backbone in my life."

The doors are wide open for her future in soccer. She has been asked to try out for the International University Sports Federation (FISU), which is similar to Team Canada, but at the university level.

Cook will travel to Victoria to try out for the team this weekend and if she makes it she will play overseas the following season.

The 2013 games will be played in Kazan, Russia

Her coach Mark Rogers has helped her focus over the past three years.

"He's been a huge support and developed me as a player. He gave me the motivation I needed at a time I was struggling with whether or not to play soccer any more."

"I will always play soccer," she confirmed. "It will always be part of my life, but at what level, I'm not sure yet," she said.

smclaren@mrtimes.com