WOLFVILLE, NS – Acadia University and the Department of Athletics are pleased to announce the commitment of New Germany, N.S. native and South Shore United striker McKenzie Kelly to the Axewomen Soccer program.
Coach Batra is excited to welcome the new addition to the team in the fall of 2018.
"McKenzie brings a lot of intensity and a big personality to the program. She is difficult for opposing teams to deal with and can be relentless in attack. Academically, she is a great student so she fits our culture in more ways than one," said Batra.
The Axewomen soccer program is coming off another strong showing both on the field and in the classroom – having once again finished runner's up in the AUS conference after finishing 5th in Canada the previous year. Academically, the team was recognized with 19 Academic All-Canadians – the second time in recent years that this has happened, tops amongst soccer programs in the AUS.
A perennial member of the Nova Scotia provincial team and Captain of the New Germany Rural High School soccer team, Kelly is no stranger to winning, counting four Atlantic Championship banners with Team Nova Scotia and two provincial championships with New Germany Rural High School.
Kelly is ready to take the next step in her academic and athletic career.
"I chose Acadia because of the feeling I had when visiting the campus. Coming from a small school, a small and close university was a big requirement for me, and Acadia has that. I love the town of Wolfville and how everything is within walking distance. Their Kinesiology program and soccer team is another major reason why I will be attending Acadia next September," commented Kelly on her choice.
Former Technical Director of South Shore District Soccer Association John Charman added, "McKenzie is player with the pace, instinct and guile to be successful scoring goals at the college level. Her positive and contagious personality will be an asset for Acadia's program in the years to come. It's tremendous to see her hard work and long term commitment and passion for the game rewarded with a chance to play in a great program."
Kelly joins an Acadia program that has been one of the top AUS contenders in the past five years. The Axewomen completed the 2017 AUS season as finalist, losing to eventual U SPORTS silver medalist Cape Breton Capers.