NEWS RELEASES

VIU Women's Soccer
comments by Anup Kang

Jessie Weninger, Kelowna High, played with Okanagan Whitecaps U21 team, center midfielder, very athletic and strong on the ball, also played basketball and ice hockey with Junior Rockets, "I expect Jess to battle for starting position in the attacking center mid role right from day one"

Shelby Walker, Victoria, Spectrum High, Goalie, trains with Island Keeper Clinics, played for Team BC, Victoria Metro and Gorge Women. "Shelby is a great technical keeper who will help lead our defense for the next four years, I watched her play a high school game and she was punting the ball to the other teams 18 yard box"

Bronte Fitzsimmons, Victoria, Oak Bay High, Forward/Mid, played for boys teams in Victoria until age 15, went to play with Gordon Head Premier at age 16 and last season played for Gorge Premier. "I first watched Bronte play as a 16 year old with Gordon Head Premier women and immediately contacted her coach, we had her up at one of our ID Camps last year as a grade 11 and she stole the show, we are excited that Bronte has selected VIU.

Jessica Smith, CariHi, Campbell River, defender, played metro for UVI, tall and strong has very good skills with lots of pace "Jessica is a very good athlete and can be a very good player in this league"

Carley Lawless, Duncan, Cowichan High, defense, will receive this years President's Athletic Scholarship (tuition waiver), played metro soccer for Victoria, last season played for Gorge Premier Team which won the Lower Island Women's Premier Division. "Carley is a great kid who we expect to become our captain in the future, she's a very smart, steady and sound player who reads the game, we play a technical game and Carley will definitely fit right in.

Jordan Tufnail, UVic, Courtenay, Mid, played for Team BC, trained at NTC also played metro for UVI and boys teams in Courtenay. "I have watched Jordan play since she was 12 and really excited that she has decided to further her education at VIU, Jordan has the ability to adjust her game as needed, very tough player on the ball with very good skills"

Mariah Wadhams, Alert Bay, returns to the Mariners after two years, played women's soccer during that time, in two recent tournaments she was named MVP. "Mariah is one of the most skilled women players I have coached, she has brilliant game sense"

Mary Shaw, Nanaimo, NDSS, Def., played rep soccer for Nanaimo, played in women's league last season, was selected to play in league all star game. Athletic and strong with a ton of speed "Mary has a track background and her speed will allow her to compete at this level, I expect her to become an impact player during her time at VIU.

Ashlee Allbury, Nanaimo, Dover Bay, solid all around player, good technically, good speed and quickness, played rep soccer in Nanaimo, last season played in women's league, helping her team to promotion and league cup title. "The more I watch Ashlee play the more impressed I am, she's not great at any one thing but real good at everything, will be a real nice addtion"