Largest incoming class in program history

(Antigonish, NS) – StFX X-Women Soccer head coach Graham Kennedy is excited to announce the 2019 recruiting class, the largest incoming class in X-Women soccer history. In total, twelve scouted players, two transfers, and two walk-on trialists will be attending training camp in August.

After a 1-0 loss to the Cape Breton Capers in the 2018 AUS championship game, the X-Women are in a rebuilding year. "We've got a lot of talent and leadership walking out the door, no question," says Kennedy, "But I am pleased with the high standard of this recruiting class."

Seven graduates, including All-Canadian Kelsey Ellis, and team captain Olivia Czipf have departed. Chloe Brennan, Elise Brennan, Rachel Hawkins, Amy Rowe, and Katie Walsh have also graduated. "Those women were a major part of our 2016 championship team and their positive attitude, talent, and energy defined us," noted Kennedy. "We are going to miss them."

The 2019 recruiting class is a coast-to-coast class with players from five provinces represented.

Leading the way are a pair of Ottawa teammates Talia Morin and Sarah Lapenseé from West-Ottawa Soccer Club who together were Kennedy's first recruiting targets for the 2019-20 class. Kennedy had high praise for the pair, "I was thrilled to have them commit because I think they are foundation players who have the potential to be future leaders in our program."

Talia Morin, a central midfielder, is graduating from John McCrae Secondary School and will join the business administration program this fall. "Talia has been well-coached, and she is AUS ready as a first-year player," said Kennedy. "She gets free, gets turned, and moves the ball. I like her composure, athleticism, and competitiveness. I also admire her leadership potential and comfort around older, more established players".

Sarah Lapenseé is a central defender who also attends John McCrae Secondary School and will be studying in the Bachelor of Arts and Science in Health program at StFX. Sarah, previously coached by Russel Shaw and Kristina Kiss, brings qualities Kennedy has been seeking in a central defender. "Sarah is another AUS-ready player, and when you can get a left-footed centre back with her technical quality you have to be happy."

Joining the X-Women in goal is last year's Fédération de Soccer du Québec U17 player of the year, Christina Gentile. Graduating from Collège Laval in Montreal, Gentile is entering the Bachelor of Arts program and currently plays for Fabrose Club de Soccer, coached by Andre Mercho and goalkeeper specialist, Rino Angelillo. Gentile spent her youth career with Monteuil FC and came to StFX after turning down a professional women's contract in Belgium to pursue her post-secondary education. Kennedy could not be more pleased, "Christina is an excellent goalkeeper who will challenge for our number one spot in her first year. She has great fundamentals and is very comfortable in possession."

Natasha Chojnacki is an attacking midfielder joining the X-Women from Reynold's High School in Victoria, home of BC's Centre for Soccer Excellence. Chojnacki, who spent a season playing in France while on hiatus from her club team, Vancouver Island Wave of the BC Soccer Premier League, comes to StFX on the recommendation of former women's national team assistant coach, Dave Dew who coaches Chojnacki with the Wave. "We are very pleased to have another CSE player join the X-Women," said Kennedy, "Natasha follows in the footsteps of some excellent Vancouver Island players who have played at StFX. She has sound fundamentals and can play in tight spaces at a high tempo." Chojnacki will study in the Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Health Program.

Centre forward McKenzie Coole joins the X-Women from John Ross HS in Guelph, Ont. Coole, who has strong family ties to Cape Breton Island, plays her club soccer with Guelph Gryphons FC U21 and will enter the Bachelor of Arts and Science in Health degree program at StFX. According to Coach Kennedy, McKenzie is a natural left-footer who can smash a ball with both feet. "She has tremendous strength and power and can score from a distance," says Kennedy. "I think she can score goals as a first-year player in our league and offer us something special on set pieces."

Australian born and Cochrane, Alta. raised Hannah Hawach-Engdahl joins the X-Women as a central defender who can also add minutes in midfield. A 2019 graduate of Edge School for Athletes in Calgary, Hawach-Engdahl has represented Cochrane Wolves and Calgary Rangers FC as well as Calgary Southwest United and Team Alberta. "Hannah is a physical force who brings size, strength and vocal leadership, and I am thrilled to have her on the team," notes Kennedy. "She will have an immediate impact in our squad and is AUS-ready to play." Hawach-Engdahl plans to study business administration at StFX.

Tehya Blake is a left back out of Ottawa South United soccer club and one of four left-footed players in the 2019 class. Blake, who can also play in midfield, comes to StFX after several years in the Ontario Player Development League, one of the best youth leagues in the country. Also a competitive hockey player, Blake brings athleticism and combativeness to the X-Women. "I always like it when we get a soccer player who has played competitive hockey, they have a built-in bite," laughs Kennedy. "Tehya is a robust athlete with an Antigonish connection, and we're so pleased to have her join us. She is also comfortable on the ball and a good passer."

Brittany Pigat joins the team from Eastview Secondary School in Barrie, Ont. and currently plays for Bradford Soccer Club. Before Bradford, Pigat played four years with Vaughan Azzurri in the Ontario Player Development League and represented Team Ontario at U16. "Britt is a dynamic forward who can run at defenders and create opportunities for herself and others," stated Kennedy. "She has exceptional skills and brings energy and enthusiasm to the squad, and we are delighted to get her to StFX." Pigat will enroll in the Human Kinetics program at StFX.

Stouffville, Ont. native and King City United soccer player Samantha Cuzzolino (Bill Crothers Secondary School), is the fourth left-footer in the 2019 recruiting class and will study Human Kinetics. Cuzzolino has a StFX connection in cousin Brianna Cuzzolino who played for the X-Women soccer team and served as an assistant coach for a season. When asked about what Cuzzolino brings to the side, Coach Kennedy responded, "Samantha brings pace and power and can penetrate from wide areas. She also has sound technical qualities and is a clean striker of the ball."

Rounding out the Ontario contingent is Sydney Haws (Aurora High School), a defensive midfielder out of ANB Futbol Academy and Richmond Hill Soccer Club. Former StFX assistant coach Nino Kovacevic spotted Haws at the Rated Sports Showcase in 2018, and she then attended the Atlantic First 50 event at StFX last summer where she made a great impression. "Sydney is the complete student-athlete package," says Kennedy. "She's an excellent academic who knows how to train hard. She's got an excellent soccer foundation and will make a good U SPORTS player. I love her determination and commitment."

Calgary born and Antigonish-raised Elise Canning has also committed to the X-Women for 2019. Unfortunately, Canning has recently undergone ACL repair surgery which sidelines her for the upcoming season. "I feel bad for the timing of Elise's injury," said Kennedy, "She was in great form and making excellent progress. It is part of the game, and I know she will bounce back." Canning is a major academic scholarship winner (StFX Canadian Scholarship) and has a family history with StFX Athletics – her father, Robert Canning was a standout X-Men soccer player and her aunt, Kim Crawford, a standout for X-Women basketball.

Two Nova Scotia natives, defender Kathleen Dolan of Halifax City FC and Citadel High School along with Hannah Stoddart of Valley United and Horton District HS, will also be competing for roster positions as walk-ons in training camp. "Both of these players come highly rated, and I'm confident they will compete for spots on this young but talented team," stated Kennedy. Dolan is enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts and Science in Health program while Stoddart will study Human Kinetics.

Two transfer student-athletes are also joining the X-Women. Goalkeeper Alyssa Spridgeon comes in as a third-year player from Young Harris University (NCAA II) in Georgia, and Gillian Rossi, a defender, joins from Ryerson University (OUA). Spridgeon is an Arts student from Ajax, Ont., while Rossi is from Toronto and is entering the Education program.

The X-Women open training camp on August 18th, and will play their first pre-season match on August 24th against Bishop's University when they host the Gaiters in a 10:00 am game at StFX. AUS regular season play begins September 6th at StFX Stadium when the X-Women host UPEI at 5:00 pm.

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StFX X-Women varsity soccer was established in 1984, and the X-Women have been proud members of Atlantic University Sport since 1986. The X-Women were AUS finalists in 2019, and AUS champions in 2016, 2009 and 1986. The X-Women Soccer vision is to develop individuals and teams of outstanding credibility.