As the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) wraps up the 2016-17 Women’s Soccer season, two Queens Soccer players have been recognized for their outstanding play this season.
Goalkeeper Jessica Stewart, and central defender Chelsea Webster, were both named to the ACAC South Conference All-Star Team, awards they received at the 2016-17 Women’s Soccer Banquet & Award Presentations on Oct. 27th.
“Jessica and Chelsea both play superbly, and these awards area nice recognition of their athleticism and their contributions to the team,” says David Colley, Queens Soccer head coach.
Being named to the ACAC South Conference All-Star Team is a special honour, as it is determined by coaches from the opposing teams. “Each coach has the opportunity to select some of their own players for consideration, and then the other coaches from the conference vote on who will be named to the team,” Colley explains, adding that the coaches can’t vote for their own players. “When student-athletes are selected for the All-Star Team, it means that they’ve been noticed by other coaches, and this recognizes their skill and the respect they’ve earned on the field.”
Stewart from Lacombe is in her fourth year with Queens Soccer and will be returning to goal next season. “Jessica is a calm, collected goalkeeper – there is not a better technical goalie in the league,” Colley says. “Her experience is second-to-none, and she really believes in the concept of team and being there for each other.”
Webster, who is in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, is also in her fourth year with the Queens and has one more year of eligibility. “Chelsea has been a real leader for our team this year, serving as co-captain with Krysten Strand,” says Colley. “She is strong, physical and fast – she’s one of the fastest players in the league – and she shuts down any threat near mid-field quickly.”
Colley notes that Stewart and Webster’s awards are good recognition for the Queens Soccer program, which draws its strength from team members who are dedicated to working together.
“We’ve had significant injuries this season: the worst I’ve seen in 17 years,” says Colley. “But through it all, our players have been committed to being there for each other. Both Chelsea and Jessica have been huge factors in this, being strong athletes on the field and great leaders for the team.”
– Fawcett
