Codiac Club Teammates Commit to Tommies Soccer Squad

Three Codiac soccer club teammates are sticking together on the pitch next season as members of the St. Thomas University Tommies.

Nikita McCartney, Melanie LaPlante, and Kaleigh Roberts have committed to join the Green and Gold in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association women's soccer conference.

"Kaleigh, Melanie, and Nikita all bring high-level playing experience to the squad," Tommies head coach Michelle DeCourcey said. "Having played together with the Codiac club throughout their development, they are sure to have an immediate impact in this league. "

McCartney, who competes with the Harrison Trimble High School Trojans during the school year, is a skilled midfielder.  This season, she helped the Trojans capture the New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association 'AAA' soccer title.

"Nikita excels at creating plays from the center of the pitch," DeCourcey said.  "She will have big shoes to fill as she steps into the role of our former MVP, Zoe de Bellefeuille, but we expect her style of play will be a perfect complement to our offence."  

Roberts, a wing, was also a member of the championship Trojans team.  Her athleticism and toughness are welcomed additions to the Tommies' roster.

"Kaleigh will likely use her quickness and grit to work her way up and down the wing, creating scoring chances for us," DeCourcey said.

Roberts was familiar with St. Thomas, having stayed on campus for the High School Drama Festival, and said she envisioned attending the university one day.

"I looked into the soccer program and the academic programs, and found STU is the home of one of the best Criminology programs in Atlantic Canada," Roberts said. "I'm looking forward to being a Tommie and starting fresh, spending most of my days at the field doing what I love in a brand new environment."

Rounding out the new additions is LaPlante, a wing back coming out of Bernice McNaughton High School. In her four years of high school soccer, LaPlante captained her team each season and led them to a provincial title in 2014-2015.

In the Tommies' lineup, she will be looked upon to fill the gap left from graduating players Vanessa Pettersson, Amy Sheppard, and Chelsey Leahy.

"I'm looking forward to meeting new people and to continue playing soccer throughout university," LaPlante said. "I also love the campus and think it's such a welcoming and close-knit community. I can't wait to be a part of it."