When people think of the great eight, they may think of the NHL’s Alexander Ovechkin.
But in Lunenburg County, eight female soccer players have been recruited to play for colleges or universities in Atlantic Canada.
Kait Benjamin of Bridgewater will play for St. Thomas as a defender.
She says the opportunity wouldn’t have been possible without the HB Studios Sports Centre.
“Having an indoor facility that we were able to train at year-round really helped a lot of us continue playing throughout the year.”
Bridgewater’s Kaitlyn Woodworth, who will be a striker at Dalhousie, agrees.
“We played there for 10 years. It’s really developed us into who we are today.”
Others playing university soccer are Halle MacEwan of Northwest Cove (Defence – Saint Mary’s), Zaida Pierce of Lower Northfield (Striker – Memorial), Kennedy Sinclair of Camperdown (Defence – Saint Mary’s), Devon Bode of LaHave (Goaltender – Dalhousie), Emily Lepine of Bridgewater (Striker – Holland College) and Lauren Symes of Bridgewater (Defence – Dalhousie Agricultural Campus).
Bode says she expects to face highly-skilled players in university.
“But, I think it will be a good opportunity to develop as a player.”
MacEwan says it’s will be a great experience for all of them.
“Being able to build lifelong relationships with your teammates.”
Most of them have been playing together since they were 10 years-old.
Some will remain teammates and some will face each other on the pitch next fall.
All eight girls are 17 years-old and currently attend Park View Education Centre or Forest Heights Community School.
*Missing from the photo is Lauren Symes*
Reported by: Nick Yorston
Twitter: @NickYorston
E-mail: yorston.nick@radioabl.ca
