After some time away, Fredericton's Natalie Boucher will lace up her cleats and take the field with the St. Thomas University Tommies women's soccer team.

Following her graduation from École Sainte-Anne, Boucher decided to take time off and travel. Now, she's ready to continue her education and her soccer career.

"When I think of St. Thomas University, I think of a tight-knit community where I can thrive as a student and as an athlete," she said. "As someone who has a passion for soccer as much I do learning, I see a lot of opportunity at St. Thomas."

Tommies head coach Michelle DeCourcey has watched Boucher develop as a player since she competed with the Fredericton District Soccer Association U16 premiership team, and is pleased to have added the defender to this year's roster.

"Natalie is a smart, skilled defender that can read the play and move the ball out of the back to create offensive opportunities," DeCourcey said. "She's tough and calm under pressure—exactly what you want out of your defensive line."

Boucher began playing competitive soccer at age 11 and competed with ESA's varsity team from eighth grade until the end of her high school career. In her senior year, she was named the school's Female Athlete of the Year.

She's been a part of numerous FDSA and provincial-level teams, but is looking forward to joining her Tommie teammates on the pitch in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association.

"Becoming a player at STU is an exciting step in what I hope will be a great athletic career," she said.

Boucher joins Nikita McCartney, Melanie LaPlante, and Kaleigh Roberts in this year's recruiting class.