An Austin, Manitoba product is putting her best foot forward at Assiniboine Community College.

Megan Beswitherick is a defender for the Assiniboine Cougars soccer team and says this season is her first time back on a field in, basically, two full years. She says the hiatus has brought on some challenges for her.

"It's been a little slow for me to get back into things, I'm not at the level I was prior to the long break," Beswitherick explains. "I can see myself progressing now quicker and quicker, so I'm hoping I'll be even better than I was by the end of this season."

The Cougars are currently 0-3 this season but Beswitherick feels as though they are starting to bring the things they've learnt in practice into game situations, noting that's the first step to success. Despite their best effort, ACC does have a disadvantage in the league they play in.

"ACC mainly offers two-year programs whereas the other schools offer four or five-year programs," says Beswitherick. "They can develop their players for a longer period of time. So, we do have a disadvantage in that aspect but we have a really hard-working and willing-to-learn group of girls that are extremely fun to play with."

She says, personally, she needs to improve on her goal kicks and free kicks as they have not been up to her version of par, especially since those can help them move the ball down the field more. She says as a team they need to work on their ball movement and focus on give-and-go's.

Beswitherick adds it has been a big transition into college soccer, especially after two years off.

"I understand now how much I really need to rely on my teammates to help me out in situations," Beswitherick explains. "In high school, I would become very determined and just run the ball all the way down the field but I can't do that now because everyone is just as fast, or faster than me. So, I need to rely on my teammates, find where they are on the field and get open for them as well."

The defender says the coaching staff at ACC has been extremely encouraging and she notes they have made it even more fun to return to the sport.