Wolfville, NS – Acadia University and the Department of Athletics are pleased to announce the addition of Jessy Carveth (Sandford, ON), Kamryn Brimicombe, (Waverley, NS), Jayden Boudreau (Halifax, NS), and Lexie Nichols (Kentville, NS).
"We've graduated so many standout players in the last year so it's a bit of a changing of the guard which ushers in a new era for the program" explains Acadia's Head Coach Amit Batra. "We're really pleased with how quickly they've all adjusted to the level in preseason and in camp and how the older players have kept our standards up to where they should be."
Kamryn Brimicombe – (Lockview High School, Suburban Football Club)
Entering Acadia's well-regarded Bachelor of Arts in Sociology program, the Lockview grad also represented the Nova Scotia provincial team for four years in her youth. At the club level she helped Suburban FC to four provincial championship culminating in a national bronze medal in in 2017.
While at Lockview, Brimicombe won the rookie of the year award and heart of the team in 2014-15 while finishing her career as Team MVP in 2017-18. "Kamryn is versatile, she's a ball winner, she puts it all on the line for her team and then she makes a good decision. We're really happy with what she's already contributed to the squad", added Coach Batra.
Brimicombe for her part is equally happy to be here, "I chose Acadia because it's a small University where it's hard to stand on the sidelines. After going on a tour of the University I felt it has such a great atmosphere. I noticed how close the girls were and how well they played together, and I knew it was a place I wanted to all home."
Jayden Boudreau – (Halifax West High School, Halifax Dunbrack Soccer Club)
Boudreau will join older sister Jenna on the Axewomen squad this year. The 5'7" striker was one of the all-time scoring leaders in Halifax West Warriors history while also joining the Halifax Dunbrack Senior team at Club National Championships in 2017 and is headed back to club nationals after helping the team to another Provincial Championship.
Boudreau gave a lot of consideration to her choice of University.
"Acadia has always stood out to me long before realizing just how strong both their academics and athletics were. I've always loved Wolfville and the close-knit community, and with this I've always thought it would be a great place to go to school. In addition, the soccer program is strong and competitive, and has had a lot of success in the AUS. I look forward to being a student athlete at Acadia University and can't wait to get it all started," noted Boudreau.
Batra is happy that Jayden chose Acadia, "She's got tremendous instincts for the game and can be explosive going forward. I think the more she trusts herself the more dangerous she'll become and that's exciting for us."
Jessy Carveth (Uxbridge Secondary School, Vaughan Azzurri)
The Sandford, Ont. native comes to Acadia to study in the Bachelor of Kinesiology program from which so many Axewomen have gone on to great success.
A former team captain and MVP and Ontario Cup Champion, Carveth made the leap to the Maritimes after visiting Acadia's Open House in 2017.
"I chose Acadia because it's where I can see myself growing academically, athletically, and personally. The school's strong academics alongside its highly competitive team all in a tight-knit community was everything I was looking for," said Carveth.
Coach Batra has strong praise for yet another of his Ontario recruits, "Jessy reads the game well and has an extremely high work rate and engine. She will get up the field and deliver excellent crosses from wide positions and as she adjusts to the level of play here she's going to get better and better."
Lexie Nichols – (Horton High School, Valley United Soccer Club)
Local athlete Lexie Nichols has strong ties to Acadia having grown up being surrounded by Acadia athletes and coaches.
"Wolfville is such a warm and friendly place and I've had the opportunity to live nearby my whole life. The soccer staff and team at Acadia was all so friendly and welcoming and overall just a well-rounded, hardworking team. Choosing Acadia for academics will help me have close relationships with my profs and community, from what I hear from my older sister. I am so excited to be a part of the Acadia Women's soccer team as well as further my education in Biology and see what more Acadia has to offer for me," said Nichols of her choice.
A constant member of the Nova Scotia provincial team, Nichols also led Horton to the High School provincial final last year while captaining the team and was named MVP in grade 12. She has also captained the Valley United side throughout her youth and transitioned to the senior team this season helping them finish first overall in the final standings.
Coach Batra added, "We always knew Lexie had talent and certainly previous provincial staff such as Graham Chandler were very complimentary of her. I've seen her grow over the past two seasons locally but I didn't realize how composed she is – she never panics on the ball and has excellent dead ball delivery. Lexie has great tools that will help her have an impact in the AUS."
The Axewomen open the season ranked 10th in Canada for two weeks running after an undefeated preseason.
Batra's team is ready for the regular season.
"The real season is upon us now so games will be faster. You know who is going to which school and I think we're going to see a hungry Mount Allison side on Friday night to start the season. Sunday will be no different with the Huskies who are maturing as a team and have added some key pieces so it's important we start the season competing at our best. I think we have a group on the team that are returners that are ready to lead mixed with a group that are new that are willing to learn and that's all we can ask for."