Four Tommies Among ACAA's Best

Four women's soccer Tommies were among the top players in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association recognized with all-conference awards at the 2017 ACAA Championships.

Nikita McCartney and Louisa Hughes were named to the ACAA first team all-conference, while Kaleigh Roberts and Victoria Muise cracked the second team.

McCartney, a first-year midfielder from Berry Mills, NB, had a standout debut season, winning the ACAA points race with 20 and finishing with the second most goals in the conference with nine.

Tommies head coach Michelle DeCourcey said McCartney is always looking for scoring opportunities and has the speed and skill to convert.

"Nikita was a force for us this season," she said. "Her speed and skill make her difficult to defend. She's also versatile and dynamic, so she excels in multiple positions."

Joining McCartney on the women's first team is Hughes, who came to the Tommies this season after two years with the Saint Mary's Huskies of the Atlantic University Sport conference.

Hughes played 90 minutes in all 12 of the Tommies' regular season games. The third-year centre midfielder demonstrated high-level skill and was able to switch her point of attack with ease, facilitating the team's offense.

"Louisa is a team leader who is tough and composed under pressure," DeCourcey said. "She is one of the most skilled players in the league and has created offensive opportunities for us while shutting down our opponents' efforts in the middle of the field."

Earning spots on the second all-conference team are Roberts, a first-year midfielder from Moncton, NB, and Muise, a first-year wingback from Dartmouth, NS.

Muise has been an impact player for the Tommies, playing nearly every minute of every game in her rookie campaign.

"Victoria's a gritty and smart defender who is able to push forward and join the attack, creating goal scoring opportunities for us," DeCourcey said. "She made immediate impact this year."

Roberts has been a steady presence for the young STU squad, despite taking on a new position earlier in the season.

"Kaleigh's speed helps her excel at tracking down quick attackers on the other team," DeCourcey said. "She can also distribute the ball well out of the back."