It didn’t turn out to be the season the St. Thomas University Tommies’ women’s soccer team wanted it to be. The Tommies went 2-7-3, good enough for fifth in the league.
The Tommies’ back end once again shone for the team, allowing just 11 goals in their 12 games, and they were led on offence by Emma Langille, who scored two goals on the season.
Defensive stalwarts Kaleigh Roberts and Jessica McWilliams were part of a defensive crew that helped rookie keeper, Laura Nancekievill, get acclimatized to life in the ACAA. For their efforts on the year, that trio were named ACAA All-Stars, with Roberts being named to the 1st Team and McWilliams and Nancekievill to the 2nd Team.
“Laura had a tremendous rookie year in goal and our backline, led by Kaleigh, was top notch,” said head coach, Michelle DeCourcey. “Obviously, our three all-stars were consistently strong and impactful for us.”
The Tommies had a quartet of graduating players that proved form a strong leadership group for a team that featured 10 rookies; Roberts, McWilliams, Abbey Curwin and Rhys Dixon.
“These grads played a prominent role this season as mentors on and off the pitch,” said DeCourcey of her veterans.
Langille and Nancekievill were just a pair of rookies who contributed to the Tommies’ season and DeCourcey was quick to add Ginny Phillips to that list as well. “Ginny played 90 minutes of every game and her versatility saw her serve the team in just about every position on the pitch.”
DeCourcey knows it was a down year and is already looking towards next season.
“We will continue learning to play to each other's strengths and improve our drive to goal and precision in the attacking third.”