WOLFVILLE – The Axewomen continue to fill out their 2024 recruitment class with the addition of goalkeeper Laila Houshan.  

She comes to Acadia from Markham, Ont., most recently playing for Pickering FC in League1 Ontario.

Prior to joining Pickering, she spent 2020-23 with the North Toronto Nitro in the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL). In 2022 to they were league finalists and in 2021 she was top of the league in clean sheets with the Nitro making it to the league semifinal.

“Laila will bring instant competition to our team for the goalkeeping spot which has traditionally been a strength at Acadia,” said head coach Amit Batra. “She’s vocal, brave and can make some excellent saves to bail her team out. Laila fit in right away with our group and we are looking forward to watching her progress through her career at Acadia.”

On top of her league play, she was a member of the 2024 Palestinian women’s soccer national team and in 2023 won gold with St. Augustine Catholic High School at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) division two championship.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to play soccer at the university level since it has been a goal I have been working towards for a very long time. Choosing Acadia as my next step allows me to pursue soccer at a top level; making this whole new chapter so much more adventurous,” she said. “The kindness that I have already received from Acadia has made me feel right at home, fulfilling my excitement. Beyond the pitch, I'm thrilled to dive into there business administration program! So glad to be an Axewoman.”