Five new players join defending AUS Championship Squad 

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Acadia Axewomen Head Coach Amit Batra is looking forward to heading into the 2022 season with some fresh faces in his lineup. 

The defending champions added Dartmouth High product Abigail (Abbey) Aucoin to their attacking options where several goal scorers shared the workload in front of the goal last season.  Aucoin has already made her mark, scoring in the pre-season exhibition against the Dalhousie Tigers to stake the Axewomen back into the game and eventual 3-3 draw on August 29th. 

Aucoin, who recently came off a Canada Games bronze medal with Team Nova Scotia, looks forward to her first year at the Wolfville, Nova Scotia University. "I chose Acadia because it has everything I am looking for in a university. It has a great academic reputation, an excellent soccer program, a beautiful campus, and a perfect location in the charming town of Wolfville." 

United Dartmouth FC Club Coach Dr. Peter Lee expands on Abbey's ability to add to the program, 

"I am certain that Abbey Aucoin will be a standout debutant in her Rookie season as an Axewomen and an invaluable addition to the Acadia Women's Varsity Soccer Program in the coming years.  Abbey plays with a genuine passion for the game, driven by an insatiable hunger for competition." 

Locally the Axewomen continued the strong tradition of recruiting graduates of nearby high school athletes, adding striker Jenna Turner and attacking mid/winger Alexa Derrick, both of Horton High School. Derrick and Turner have experienced success with the Nova Scotia provincial team as well as a youth Nova Scotia Soccer League Championship that led to a 6th place finish at the 2018 U15 National Championships. 

Horton Coach Jyl Bishop Veale notes, "Alexa has exceptional pace, both on and off the ball, and brings an attacking mindset to the game. Skilled at crossing and shooting, she was a top scorer this past season. Her speed and ball control are key components of her game and will serve her well at the AUS level." 

Derrick, who attended Acadia varsity camps as a child is looking forward to her time here, "I chose Acadia because of their strong soccer, and academic programs, and because of the team environment that they have created there. It has been a team that I've grown up admiring and I am super excited to be a part of it!" 

Horton and Valley United teammate Turner has a longer road ahead but is hopeful of a return to action this season after ACL surgery last November. As a youth player Turner was invited to the Generation Adidas tournament in Lyon, France as well as the Whitecaps combine for provincial players in 2018 where she was invited to play in the game of distinction.  A four-time Atlantic Champion with Team Nova Scotia, Coach Veale noted her importance to the high school squad, "As a senior for the Horton D1 Soccer team this past season, Jenna was a key component of the Griffin's success. Acting as a field general, Jenna set up plays and was a strong leader for the young squad. Her tactical awareness, technical ability, and athleticism will be a huge asset for Acadia as she embarks on her AUS soccer career." 

Turner is keen to make her mark, "I chose Acadia University because it has an excellent reputation for academics, the small-town feeling, and the strength of the women's soccer program.  Acadia's style of play fits in with my way of playing and feel I can contribute to the team's future successes." 

Further away from home are two Ontario products, Jaclyn Delahunt of Union FC and Isabelle Boult of Ottawa South United (OSU). Delahunt came to the program late but has shown an excellent level of fitness, poise, and competitive desire from day one.   

Delahunt, who arrives at Acadia as an Irving scholar, came highly recommended by her club head coach, Greg Beauchamp, "Jaclyn is a hard-working athlete who is always looking to push herself to her fullest potential. Jaclyn is a skilled dribbler with a high soccer IQ. She is a disciplined competitor who is committed to self-improvement." During her time with Union FC, she won both the Ontario Indoor Provincial Cup (2020) and finished first in the YRSL U17 league in 2021. 

Delahunt is enthusiastic about Acadia, "I am so excited to come to Acadia and become an Axewomen! I am most looking forward to the family-like atmosphere. I can't wait to play highly competitive soccer, and make some amazing memories!" 

Rounding out the newcomers is Boult whose own resume includes five years with the OSU's top team in the Ontario Provincial Development League. Boult attended Acadia's prospect day in 2021 where she showed a high tactical understanding, very good technical ability, and proactive movement off the ball. OSU club coach Peter Mapendere commented about his player, "A very intelligent and versatile player who can play as a winger, or anywhere in the middle of the pitch. Possesses a great technique and an excellent vision with the ability to create goal-scoring opportunities for the team.  Great team player, hardworking, resilient and a joy to have both on and off the field." 

Boult commented "From the start I knew Acadia was strong academically, but they also happened to have an extremely successful women's soccer program. I've done my research on plenty of schools, but after visiting Acadia in the fall my decision was made. The university exceeded my expectations as did the coaches. The players were extremely welcoming and created a positive environment. I can't wait to begin this new chapter of my soccer and academic career as an Axewomen!" 

The Axewomen will begin defending their 2021 AUS championship this Friday at STFX before returning home on Sunday for the team's home opener against Memorial beginning at 1:00 p.m.