Breaking Down the UPEI and St. FX Women's Recruits

--By Dylan Matthias

Sure, we gave Dalhousie their own post, but St. FX and UPEI also announced recruiting classes in women's soccer. We'd be remiss not to assign them some brief thoughts and a grade, too.

Breaking Down Dalhousie's Recruits

--By Dylan Matthias

We now have a much better idea what the Tigers women's soccer team will look like in 2010: very similar to 2009.

That's not a bad thing, because 2009 was a good season until November 7th, when it all ended disastrously. It's easy to rely on clichéd excuses: they were too young, the weather was bad, bad games happen, goalkeepers occasionally miss 35-yard shots. Sometimes, though, clichés are clichés because they're true.

And it's true the 2010 Tigers will be a year older and a year better. Players who were too quiet in 2009 will be more comfortable in 2010.

First of the Men's Soccer Recruits: St. FX

--By Dylan Matthias

The St. FX X-Men have added a small but potentially solid group of recruits for the 2010 season.

Steven Rodenhiser (GK), Michael Tait (M), Graeme Spink (CB), John Troncoso (WM), Graeme Hodgkinson (DM), and Mark Harpur (D) are all joining the X-Men.

The recruiting class is experienced above all else, with Tait, Spink, and Harpur all having trialled at or worked with professional clubs or academies. Spink was even offered a contract at Dundee FC, but wanted to pursue a university education. Tait trialled at three Scottish clubs including Celtic.

Acadia Hire Amit Batra as Women's Soccer Coach

(Photo credit: Acadia University)

--By Dylan Matthias



Amit Batra is now the head coach of the Acadia Axewomen soccer team, replacing Angela Morrison.

Batra leaves his current post at Mount Saint Vincent after two incredibly successful years, where he only lost once over two years and was named coach of the year last year. During his tenure with the Mystics, MSVU were a powerhouse of ACAA women's soccer.

Capers' Lose Back-up Goalkeeper to NCAA

--By Dylan Matthias

The Cape Breton Capers women's soccer team has lost back-up goalkeeper Mara Kremenovic to the Illinois State University Redbirds of NCAA.

Kremenovic, a rookie in 2009, was number two behind Jessica MacDermid. MacDermid has used all her eligibility, leaving the Capers without a goalkeeper.

The Capers have yet to announce their 2010 recruiting class, although it's a good bet it will now include a goalkeeper or two.

The Capers have been one of the stingiest AUS teams over the past several years, conceding only six in 2009 and seven in 2008.

--Dylan Matthias is the incoming sports editor at the Dalhousie Gazette. He runs Dal Soccer Live on the side to provide more in-depth coverage of AUS and ACAA soccer. He has been a Toronto FC fan since Danny Dichio scored the team's first ever goal. It showed him the magic of soccer.

FC Edmonton Sign Three CIS Players

--By Dylan Matthias

Canada's newest professional soccer team, FC Edmonton, announced it's roster on Wednesday, and it includes a number of CIS and CCAA players.

Leading the pack is 2009 CIS bronze medallist and 2008 silver medallist Paul Hamilton, of the Trinity Western Spartans.

Goalkeeper Jaswinder Gill and midfielder Milan Timotijevic, both of the University of Alberta Golden Bears join Hamilton on FC Edmonton.

Dalhousie Women Add Eight Recruits

--By Dylan Matthias

The Dalhousie Tigers women's soccer team will be a bit deeper come September. Head coach Jack Hutchison has added eight new players.

Headlining the list is versatile defender Andie Vanderlaan and attacking wingers Bianca Jakisa and Sheena Cayer.

Hutchison has also added defensive midfielders Stacey DeLuca, Madie Greig, and Sam Claude. Daphne Wallace, a striker, and central midfield player Kayla Merriman round out the group.

"They're not being thrown into the fire," says Hutchison. "The recruits coming in this year will really have the benefit of not being pressured into major minutes."

St. FX add Nine Recruits

-By Dylan Matthias

Following closely on the heels of UPEI's large recruiting class, the X-Women have added nine new players.

 The new recruits compliment an already defensive team.

The recruits include Maris Miller (GK),  Stephanie Venedam (FB), Vanessa Smykalski (FB), Victoria Penner (CB), Melanie Sunada (WM), Shannon Venedam (WM), Alix Bruch (CM), and Shannon McPhee (AM).

There isn't much info available on these players--ever where youth soccer stats exist, it can be hard to gauge the level of competition. If you happen to be familiar with any of these players, consider leaving us a comment.

UPEI Recruiting Left, Right, and Centre

--By Dylan Matthias

 UPEI have added no less than eight players already, including two strikers.

Maggie McSweeney and Ali Goodman will give AUS leading scorer Tessa Roche a little help up front.

Last year, Tessa Roche scored 13 of UPEI's 20 goals. Kinza Baker was the team's second-leading scorer, with three.

Also joining them are (deep breath): Sarah Stanley (M), Katie O'Brien (M), Patty Trainor (M), Melissa Burke (W), Lynn Symington (D), and Hilary Thompson (G).

Live: Men's Gold Medal Game

The banner will go to Quebec, but which school? McGill or Laval? Find out at 7:30pm.