Young X-Women poised to contend in AUS soccer

Although plenty of talent and experience is no longer with the STFX X-Women soccer program that captured a conference banner two years ago, Graham Kennedy expects the White and Blue – with a strong mix of returning student-athletes and newcomers – to contend for the playoffs in a strong field set to take the pitch for the 2025 Atlantic University Sport (AUS) regular season.

"We are pretty excited, even though it is a bit of a rebuilding year," the veteran X-Women head coach said in an interview during the final days of training camp.

While the White and Blue program has bid farewell to 10 student-athletes who were on the roster for an undefeated season and AUS championship run in 2023, Kennedy noted that they are excited about the eight new arrivals.

"We will rely heavily on their talent and leadership," he offered of junior midfielders Ava Elgood (Almonte, ON) and Cheyenne Bower (London, ON), who played "big roles" for STFX, as first-years, when they captured the conference banner.

He described another pair of veteran stalwarts – fourth-year student-athletes Rylin Matheson (Dartmouth, NS) and Meghan Lineger (Comox, BC) – as "well-seasoned defenders."

Kennedy added that the "experience and know-how" those defenders provide will be a valuable asset to the X-Women on the back line.

Megan Cole (Moncton, NB), another fourth-year senior, is a "great role-model for any student-athletes," according to the X-Women mentor, noting her excellence not only on the pitch, but also off the field and in the classroom.

"She is tremendously hard worker," Kennedy offered of the midfielder.

As for Aidan Miller (Chilliwack, BC), he said the fourth-year senior "will be one of our best forwards."

Welcome to the family

Those veteran ingredients will be mixed with a group of first-year X-Women who Kennedy noted have provided "some nice surprises" during training camp.

Addison Langley (New Glasgow, PEI), a freshman defender who laced up her cleats with Team PEI at the recent Canada Summer Games in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, along with second-year forward Cara Therrien (Toronto, ON), who started her collegiate career at the NCAA Division 1 level with the St. Peter's Peacocks in New Jersey, players who Kennedy indicated have "a lot of potential," highlight the 2025 recruiting class.

One of the newcomers – midfielder Olivia Thompson (Hammonds Plains, NS) – boasts deep Xaverian roots; her father Brad, an Antigonish native, won an AUS title with the X-Men soccer program under the leadership of legendary head coach Lou Bilek. Kennedy expects her to bring strength and speed to roster.

"She has been showing really well, making her mark," Kennedy offered of Katy Gappa (Sheffield, MA), who also has family ties to northeastern Nova Scotia, particularly Pictou County; her uncle, Steve Ryan, is a highly-regarded educator and hockey coach from Antigonish.

As for freshman forward Avril Jamieson (Calgary, AB), the X-Women bench boss offered, "She is explosive – with great pull-away speed," adding that he envisions her being able "to put pressure on the opposition's defenders." The X-Women also add powerful striker Georgia Johnson (Calgary, AB) who found the back of the net twice in pre-season.

Between the pipes, the X-Women graduated multi-time all-star Christina Gentile, who provided five years of stellar play to the program. Hailey Jones (Ottawa, ON), who is entering her junior season with the White and Blue, is expected to step into the spotlight according to Kennedy, while freshman Sarah Bach (Calgary, AB) checks in for her freshman campaign from the powerhouse Calgary Foothills program.

Describing her as "talented and powerful," Kennedy said Bach is a "great shot stopper."

In the mix

Noting that veteran programs such as Memorial, Dalhousie and UNB, along with the defending AUS-champions – Cape Breton University – as "very strong and will be hard to beat," Kennedy anticipates that the young X-Women will be able "to give the top teams a decent game."

He added, "I like how we are developing and where we are headed."

Although it will be a highly-competitive season, Kennedy noted that he would be "disappointed" if the X-Women did not make the playoffs.

And, he added, if they can secure a "decent position" for the six-team, year-end playoff tournament, Kennedy suggested, "Who knows what can happen?"

The X-Women will kick off the 2025 AUS regular season on Friday, Aug. 29, at 5 p.m., when they welcome the rival Capers to STFX Stadium, in a matchup of the past two conference champions. They will wrap up an opening weekend on home turf versus the Dalhousie Tigers on Sunday, Aug. 31, at 1 p.m.

For everything X-Women soccer throughout the season, visit www.goxgo.ca