ACADEMY ALUMNI SAMANTHA COMMITS TO MSVU MYSTICS

NEW COLOURS...Samantha Chauder gets ready to swap orange for her new MSVU Mystics swag.

CAPERS Academy striker Samantha Chauder has committed to the Mount Saint Vincent University Mystics to play high-level Varsity soccer when she graduates.

The 17-year-old striker, a student at Glace Bay High School, will be studying for a Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition when she moves to Halifax in the Fall.

Loyal Cape Breton FC attacker Samantha has come through the ranks at the club and over the last three years and has thrived under the guidance of CBU CAPERS Women's Assistant coach Mitch Hanna and Assistant Coach Damien Barry in the highly regarded U17AAA Girls squad.

Samantha, who has also starred for Team Nova Scotia during her youth soccer career, said: "After I played in the South Shore Showcase with the Academy squad in November there was interest from schools which always gives you a lot to think about. That's a great tournament to get seen in.

"All I knew is that I would regret it if I didn't keep playing soccer at a high level after my years with the CAPERS and I'm thrilled to sign for the Mystics."

MSVU are currently nationally ranked no9 in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings and are under the new leadership of Jenna Blackburn after previous Head Coach Danielle Cyr moved on to take over the helm at Acadia in Atlantic University Sports (AUS).

The program has traditionally looked at Cape Breton talent and now Samantha is the latest to become a Mystic.

Regional Director of Soccer Development Iain King said: "Samantha is a great example to the younger girls in the Academy because she is fuelled by a true love of the game.

"Hugely coachable, she has thrived in the improved environment we have been able to create for her to grow in the last three years and we are all very proud of her move now into Varsity soccer.

"Samantha ages out of the U17 group this summer but we are thrilled that we will have a strong U18AA Girls squad competing in the NSSL and she will be able to prepare for the move to the Mount playing there.

"We feel she will be the first of many from that U17AAA squad to graduate to Varsity soccer and that is testimony to the coaching expertise we have at that level."