By: Sarah Maat

 Kai Douglas dreamed and envisioned playing D-1 soccer for a long time.

 This coming fall season, Kai will achieve their dreams by attending the University of Louisiana Monroe as a Warhawk.

 When Douglas came to Centennial College in September 2023, the plan was to use the Colts' soccer program as a stepping stone to playing for a college down south. As soon as Head Coach Rich Hirst heard of this plan, he committed to doing everything he could to help.

 "Going D1 straight off the bat is kind of hard when you don't know the system and the politics behind it," Douglas shared. "So having a good set of coaching staff who knew how to get me there was one of my main reasons [for attending Centennial], and they also really helped with my development."

 Douglas started playing women's soccer as a Colt in September, pursuing a liberal arts program. The program was an excellent foundation to prepare for the psychology and sociology program they'd pursue in the States next year. The fall season of soccer ensured Douglas would be ready for the next step.

 "Being the youngest team in the OCAA for women's soccer, I think we did really well," Douglas said.

 "I think playing with the people I played with made it a lot easier for me to just accomplish some of my goals."

 Looking at the entire season, one late night under the lights at Seneca College stands out.

 The Centennial Colts and Seneca Sting are local Toronto Colleges and thus are bitter rivals. Adding to the intrigued both teams were atop the East division and the Sting were undefeated in regular season play for the past three years, the night of Oct. 11 would be a night the Colts—and Douglas—will remember forever. 

 "The atmosphere was probably the best I've ever played [in]," Kai reminisces.

 That night, the Colts broke the Sting's 33-game win streak with a 3-2 victory; Douglas assisted a goal to aid in the win. 

 The game against Seneca showed Douglas the level of physicality and technical skill needed to play soccer at the collegiate level. Kai said it was one of the biggest takeaways in their time with the Colts.

 "I think the main thing was getting used to the physicality. Speed of play and tactics that's kind of the same when you are 17, 18, but the physicality when you are playing against 21-year-olds and 22-year-olds, it's a lot harder," Douglas outlines. "Being at Centennial and playing this last season helped me adjust, and now I kind of know what to expect going into things next year."

 After putting in the hours of hard work throughout the season and finishing with nine goals in nine games played, Douglas was named Rookie of the Year for the OCAA East Division and a First Team All-star. 

 "That was one of my goals at the start of the season, and it was good completing that," Douglas illustrates.

 Another goal was to get recruited by an NCAA Division 1 school in the States. 

 Unfortunately, the recruitment process for Canadian athletes less aware of the technical components of playing in America can be intimidating. Thankfully, Douglas had dedicated and insightful coaches with meaningful connections to help through the entire process.

 "I'm really grateful to have a coach who believes in me and is willing to let go of me for the next few years to see me get to the place where I want to get," they said. 

 "The coach I am going to right now reached out because Rich sent him my highlight tape. I think there are many schools that reached out thanks to Rich; he has so many connections. That was just the biggest help, just knowing someone who has those connections that I don't yet."

 "Honestly, I am just really grateful to have a coach like that because I know a lot of people who have to do it on their own," Douglas continued.

 Looking ahead at this next part of the journey, Douglas shared what they'll miss about Centennial. 

 "I enjoy being here, so I think it's harder leaving than it was to come here," Kai says wistfully.

 "I think I'll miss the people I've met, like my teammates and the other athletes at my school. When you are with your teammates and other athletes, you make a lot of memories and you connect with them. It's hard knowing I won't play with them next year."

 Even in this bittersweet moment, Douglas is excited to pursue the next exciting step. 

 Kai will be a Colt forever, and Colts Athletics is so proud knowing Kai will soon also be a Warhawk.