The STU Tommies swept the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association soccer championships this weekend, capturing the women’s and men’s conference titles. This is the first time in Tommies history both programs have won in the same year.

The women’s team downed the University of King’s College Blue Devils 4-0 to earn their third championship in program history, while the men captured the program’s fourth conference crown with a 3-0 win over the Holland College Hurricanes.

Both teams will represent St. Thomas University and the ACAA at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association National Championships November 11-14—the men will travel to Edmonton, AB, while the women’s tournament takes place in Kitchener, ON. 

 

Tommies Win Big at All-Conference Banquet

Prior to the tournament, fourth-year Tommies midfielder Caitlyn Steeves (Hampton, NB) was named the ACAA women’s soccer player of the year, and head coach David Itoafa was named ACAA coach of the year. First-year standout Elizabeth Weir (London, ON) was crowned the conference’s top rookie, and fourth-year wing Delaney Hancock (Peterborough, ON) received the women’s soccer Gerry Leblanc award.

Steeves, Lindsey Smith (Rocky Point, PEI), and Katelyn Wilton (Halifax, NS) were named to the women’s soccer first all-conference team, while Hancock, Weir, and keeper Izzy Sharpe (Hanwell, NB) were named to the second team.

On the men’s side, Nana Osei Bonsu (Toronto, ON) earned first team all-conference honours, while Sylvain Carriere (Winnipeg, MB), Ahmed Hafez (Ottawa, ON), Aidan Lavery (Victoria, BC),  and Nathan Peace (Thunder Bay, ON) were named to the second team.

 

Caitlyn Steeves — Player of the Year

Steeves started all 12 games for the Tommies this season and finished tied for second in the ACAA in scoring with 10 goals.  

As the ACAA player of the year, Steeves will also be named a CCAA All-Canadian.

David Itoafa — Coach of the Year
In his fourth year at the helm of the Tommies women’s soccer team, Itoafa led the Green and Gold to a 10-1-1 record and a first-place regular season finish.

Elizabeth Weir – Rookie of the Year
Weir had a breakout rookie season for the Tommies at centre-back. She started in all 12 matches and was a central piece of the Tommies’ defence.

 

Delaney Hancock – Gerry Leblanc Award

Hancock was the recipient of the prestigious Gerry LeBlanc Award. The award is presented annually to the female soccer player in the ACAA who best combines qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, enthusiasm and ability, both on and off the field.