WOMEN’S SOCCER SIGNS FOUR MORE SPARTANS

Caitlin Haines

Women's Soccer (Announcement)
Thursday May 21, 2009
Recruiting Class

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WOMEN'S SOCCER SIGNS FOUR MORE SPARTANS

LANGLEY, British Columbia - Trinity Western University CIS champion head coach Graham Roxburgh announced today the addition of four more recruit signings for the upcoming 2009 women's soccer season. The Spartans have signed Caitlin Haines (New Westminster, B.C.), Kristen Santema (Coquitlam, B.C.), Laura Baird (Cloverdale, B.C.) and Rachel Antoniuk (Langley, B.C.) to join TWU this fall.

"This year's recruiting class is a very strong class, both in terms of the calibre of players that we are adding to our young team, but also because of the character within each of the players that will be joining us. It has been our focus to continue to develop our squad with players that will fill some of the gaps of players that we lose through graduation and study program, as well as to maintain a healthy competitiveness amongst the squad for playing time and challenging each other to improve," commented Roxburgh on the recruiting class of 2009. "We have had some fantastic recruiting classes over the past few years, and this one I believe will prove to be the same. We want to continue with the success that we have been building here at TWU, both on and off the field and this year's class for sure gives us another opportunity to strive towards that."

Caitlin Haines is a 5'4" midfielder/forward who currently plays for the Surrey Breakers Nitro and the Fraser Valley Action. She is the top goal scorer on the Nitro and has seen her teams win the Coastal Cup two years, made Provincial's three years and been League Champions for three years.

"In Caitlin I see a fantastic person that we have added to our program. She will be a very good contributor on the field and can play in a few different positions, so her versatility will be helpful to our young team. She is quick, can go at players and has a natural ability on the ball. We are excited because we know that she will strengthen the overall team and challenge to play pretty early in her career," commented Roxburgh. "In addition, she fits with the type of person that we want to add to our team culture. Her personality and positive spirit will fit right into the group that already exists at TWU."

The Fraser Valley Christian High School student has been an honour role and effort role student at FVC and has been captain of her Abbotsford Y-league team for two years.

Haines, who plays to study Education, commented on her joining the Spartans this fall. "For me the Spartans were the only way to go. I have gotten to know most of the girls already through Athletes in Action and the Fraser Valley Action and I am very excited to be on this team."

Kristen Santema is a 5'8" midfielder from Centennial High School where she has been MVP and Captain of the Centaurs. She is also captain of her Cliff Avenue Metro team that just won their league championship.

"Kristen is a very athletic and strong player that has the ability to play in a few central roles. Her movement and willingness to battle are two key ingredients that we were looking for in a center midfielder," commented Roxburgh. "I think she is going to be a great addition to the team because her attitude and approach to soccer, and life are so positive. I have been impressed when watching her over the last year and she will bring a physical presence, coupled with talent that will bring a great impact to our team.

Santema, who recorded 20 assists last season, was named Centennial's top female athlete as a grade 11 student last year. The honour roll student, who plans to study Human Kinetics, commented on attending TWU in the fall. "Coming from a Christian background TWU is a place where I can grow, not only as a soccer player, but as a person. After playing with the Fraser Valley Action women's team I really got a feel for what Trinity Western would be like and I just loved it. All of the girls were so nice and I knew that I wanted to be a part of it."

Laura Baird currently attends Clayton Heights Secondary and plays for the Surrey Breakers Nitro Elite team. The 5'11" defender has made a number of post season appearances. She has made it to the Coastal Cup Championship and the Provincial Championships in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008. In her eight championship appearances her teams have earned three silver medals.

"Laura is a solid defender, who can play on the left side or play in a central role. We are excited that she is joining us because she has the pace to stay with wide players, and has been in an outstanding metro system for the past few years," commented Roxburgh. "She has the ability to swing in crosses, find the front runners from an outside position, and is a very good athlete. As she matures more and more at the next level, she will provide a great battle for spots which is healthy for our young team. I am pleased that she chose TWU."

The honours student, who plans to study nursing at TWU commented on joining the Spartans next season. "I always wanted to attend TWU because of the amazing student body and professors. The culture and academic excellence is also what attracted me."

Rachel Antoniuk, who attends Langley Christian High School, is a 5'5" forward/outside midfielder who also plays for the Chilliwack FC U-18 Metro team and has played for the Fraser Valley Action in 2007 and 2008. Antoniuk is a solid goal scorer who was named Most Valuable Player and won the Golden Boot Award, with 12 goals in five games, at the "A" Soccer Provincials in 2008 and was named Langley Christians Senior Athlete of the Year.

"Rachel is a technically skilled player that can play in any attacking position. Her vision and close control will add good depth to the team. I am excited about adding her to the squad because she has a fantastic attitude and has such a desire to be a part of the program," commented Roxburgh. "We want to have players that will continue to grow the team culture in all areas, and Rachel fits very much into what we strive to have in our program as a student athlete."

The Biology major, who has been awarded a President's Scholarship, commented on attending TWU. "TWU will give me the opportunity to be close to home and to get a top quality education while surrounded by an amazing Christian community. What else could I ask for in a university? I grew up watching the Spartans so I can't wait for next year. The chance to play for them will be an exciting and very rewarding experience."

Since entering the CIS in 2002 the Spartans women's soccer program has rapidly become one of the premier programs in the CIS. They have won two national championships, in 2008 and 2004, and two Canada West championships, in 2006 and 2004, and have been in the national championship three of the last five years where they have accumulated a 7-1-1 record.

About TWU:
Trinity Western University, located in Langley, B.C., is a not-for-profit Christian liberal arts university enrolling over 4,000 students this year. With a broad based, liberal arts and sciences curriculum, the University offers undergraduate degrees in 41 major areas of study ranging from business, education and computer science to biology and nursing, and 17 other graduate degrees including counselling psychology, theology and administrative leadership. For more information, visit TWU's Official Athletics site at gospartans.ca.

About Canadian Interuniversity Sport:
Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada. Fifty-two universities, 10,000 student-athletes and 550 coaches vie for 21 national championships in 12 different sports. The CIS also provides high performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades, and 32 World University Championships. For further information, visit www.universitysport.ca.

About CWUAA:
"Canada West is consistently the most decorated of the four conferences in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), winning at least 10 CIS national titles every year since 1997-98. Comprised of 14 schools, from Manitoba to B.C., the CWUAA produces numerous major award winners and Academic All-Canadian student-athletes each year, with many going on to athletic success around the globe in events such as the Olympics or Universiade Games."

-TW-

 

Last Updated: 2009-09-03
Author: Scott Stewart