By John DeCoste '77

WOLFVILLE, N.S. - While known primarily as a goal scorer, fourth-year striker Meghan Earle of the soccer Axewomen is well aware consistent play on both sides of the ball is the key to ultimate success.

Earle led the Axewomen with 12 regular season goals last season, helping Acadia to a berth in the conference final. The 21-year-old native of Mount Pearl, NL, readily admits the team is looking for a better end result in the 2016 season.

"I was pleased with last season, which was one of the best years of soccer I've ever had," she says. "Everything went really well other than the championship game (a 1-0 loss to Cape Breton), which is something we'll be looking to improve on this time around."

The 2016 season is shaping up to be longer than usual for Earle and her teammates, given that Acadia will host the CIS women's soccer championships in Wolfville Nov. 10-13.

"We're hosting nationals, so we'll get to go regardless, but our main goal is to win the AUS," she says. In fact, "it's been a goal as long as I've been here."

The Axewomen have reached the AUS final two of the past three seasons, only to fall short both times. "We've been a strong competitor the past 3-4 years, and we're looking to take that next step."

Earle acknowledges just being part of the field at nationals likely won't be enough. "If we are able to go in as AUS champs, we could end up the #1 seed, which would set us up for a better tournament."

Earle arrived at Acadia in the fall of 2013 after a successful high school career in Newfoundland and Labrador. She also gained valuable experience representing her province in national competition.

"The summer before I started high school, the U-16 Atlantic tournament was held here in Wolfville." It was the first time Earle had seen or visited Acadia. "After one of our games, (Acadia head coach Amit Batra) came up to me and introduced himself."

The two kept up contact until Earle was in Grade 12 and Batra recruited her to Acadia. Although she had applied to Memorial and had been accepted, "I knew I wanted to get away. I liked the 'small-town' feel of Acadia and Wolfville. Acadia seemed like a good fit for me – the best fit, as it's turned out."

She points out, "before you commit to attend a school, you should be okay with being there (as a student) even if the athletics doesn't work out. It's such a family here. It's not just a cliche. Being able to get to know people on the other (varsity) teams, and make friendships, is wonderful."

Earle set herself a goal of "improving each year, and doing whatever I could to help the team win." So far, she has succeeded in that quest.

Following the 2015 season, she was named an AUS first-team all-star, the AUS Most Valuable Player and a first-team All-Canadian. She also earned Academic All-Canadian status for 2014-2015.

Earle has spent the past two summers in Wolfville. This summer, she is working with strength and conditioning coordinator Elliott Richardson, as well as coaching an U-10 girls' summer soccer team.

"Being here for the summers has been an awesome experience," she says. Besides affording her "a chance to see the town move at a slower pace, I attribute my success last season to being here all (the previous) summer and being able to train and work out in small groups."

The 2016 Axewomen return all but two players from last season's conference finalists. Earle says the team "is looking great. We have a strong core coming back, plus the addition of 3-4 strong recruits."

Along with other players who will attend training camp, "there should be a battle for some spots. We're looking to create a competitive environment that we can take forward into the season."

Acadia has a solid veteran keeper in Bridgetown native Emma Connell, who "has done a great job. It's huge for a team to have a keeper you can trust."

The Axewomen backline, led by all-Canadian Emily Nickerson and Candace Conrad, "is capable of shutting other teams down." In the forward ranks, the Axewomen have veterans such as Kinsella Noseworthy-Smith and Michelle Pryde, who along with Earle were AUS all-stars last season.

"We have strength both up front and in the midfield. We're capable of playing strong defense, then turning things around and scoring goals, too. We've played a lot of one-goal games. The ability to shut teams down defensively, then take our opportunities when we get them, has been huge for us."

Three Axewomen – Noseworthy-Smith, Pryde and Emelie Poirier – are back for a fifth season. Others, including Connell, Nickerson, Conrad, Earle and midfielders Katie Ross and Alanda Cress, are entering their fourth year.

"We're an experienced team, with playoff experience and good depth off the bench. We've been there before, both at Acadia and playing for our respective provinces."

In addition, she says, "conditioning is crucial. We've all been working hard, so conditioning shouldn't be a problem, but we need to stay injury-free as well, especially as we'll have a longer season."

Earle, who is studying kinesiology, will be eligible to graduate in May of 2017. "I've thought about grad school, but right now I don't have a set plan – maybe something to do with exercise science."

She is almost certain she will return for at least the fall semester in 2017, which would allow her to play a fifth and final season. "I really can't imagine myself playing anywhere else."

She will end up with "some more certificates as well as my degree," which should position her well for both grad school and life after Acadia. "Hopefully that will open some doors for me."

Along with her athletics and academics, Earle, like most Acadia student-athletes, has been active in the community as well. Along with coaching for Valley District Soccer, she is also an executive member of Get Real, a club on campus whose goal is to end homophobia and promote inclusiveness.

She has really enjoyed the coaching, especially the younger girls. "It's all been really positive to help out the young players, then have them come to our games and cheer us on."

Earle has "no regrets at all" about choosing to attend Acadia. "I've loved being here, and I still do."