Six soccer Tommies were recognized for their on-field performance this season at the 2015 Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association Soccer Championship banquet in Halifax, Friday night. 

Jade Bellemare led the Tommies' award-winners, claiming the Rookie of the Year Award and a second team all-conference selection, while teammate Zoe de Bellefeuille was named to the women's first all-conference team. 

Klinton Doucette and Robert LeBlanc took home first team all-conference honours for the men, and Eric Prior and Brad Johnston were named to the second team.  

Bellemare a "Fierce Attacker" for Tommies

Bellemare, a first-year striker from Shawinigan, QC, was an offensive powerhouse for the Tommies this season. She netted 12 goals—the second most in the ACAA—which accounted for 70 per cent of the Tommies scoring. 

"Jade's cool and calm demeanour in front of the net helped her tuck away an impressive 12 goals this season," Tommies head coach Michelle DeCourcey said. "Her speed and strength make her a fierce attacker, and if she doesn't win a tackle on her first try she sticks with it and often comes out with the ball."

Bellefeuille was just as impactful on the defensive end for the Tommies. Her ability to win fifty-fifty balls and lead the team's backline was crucial for the Green and Gold this season. Her composure with the ball also allowed her to set up many of the Tommies' scoring chances. 

"Zoe's technical abilities, strength and soccer knowledge made her one of the top defenders in the league this year," DeCourcey said. "She's the type of player any coach would want to have on their team—she's skilled, hardworking, tough, and determined."

LeBlanc Leads Tommies to Playoffs

On the men's side, LeBlanc was an offensive standout for the Tommies, who punched their ticket to the ACAA playoffs this season after a four-year absence. The Hartland, NB, native led the Tommies in scoring with five goals this season, all of which were game-winning goals.

"When the team needed a win, they looked to Robert and he didn't disappoint," Tommies head coach John-Ryan Morrison said.

"He's played every minute of every game this season and has played multiple positions to make sure we generated the right results." 

Joining LeBlanc on the first all-conference team is Doucette, who was moved from the wing to defensive midfielder—a position he had never played. Despite the position shuffle, Doucette thrived by challenging ball carriers, chipping quality long passes, and connecting for three goals. 

"Klinton's been a major contributor to the Tommies' turnaround this season," Morrison said. "He was moved to the defensive midfielder position, but chipped in with three goals including a cracker from 40 yards out in a must-win game." 

Prior and Johnston round out the Tommies all-conference players, having both been named to the second team. 

Prior, a first-year centreback from Gananoque, ON, was a staple of the Tommies' backline, providing vocal leadership and physicality to the young group. Offensively, he netted two goals in his debut season. 

Johnston played every minute of every game as a defensive midfielder and was a tough, team-oriented contributor to the Tommies squad.

"Brad is the type of player every coach wants on his team," Morrison said. "He's hardworking, a great teammate, and is respectful to coaches, opponents, and referees."