Season Preview: Women's Soccer Huskies to rely on experience in pursuit of third-straight podium appearance
Coming off back-to-back podium appearances in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC), the Keyano Huskies Women’s Socceer team are determined to show that their window for championship contention hasn’t closed.
In both of those years, their pursuit of the top of the podium was stifled by the SAIT Trojans. First it was the championship game in 2023 followed by a narrow semi-final result last year, though the Huskies still rebounded for Bronze.
Now, with new faces gracing the lineup, the returning Huskies still have plenty to offer in the 2025 campaign.
“The expectation this year is to finish strong,” noted fifth-year forward Nathalie Andersson. “I want to end it on a good note and leave a good legacy to bring up new players coming in and continue the history of Keyano Huskies.”
Even with nearly double-digit departures last year due to players finishing program, moving onto U SPORTS, or finishing up their eligibility, the trio of Andersson, Marissa Mestre, and Madison Tyson – all entering their fifth year - remain a core part of the program while fourth year Rofyda Khaleel is a key piece too.
Returning to the program is Head Coach Niels Slotboom, who is taking on the responsibility of coaching the team once again, looking to keep the team sharp on the field.
“It’s been fun. It’s been challenging because I haven’t been part of it for a year,” Slotboom said. “We’re trying to mesh some of the things that we used to do with some of the things that were done last year and trying to find our own way in it.
“There’s plenty of talent, plenty of returning faces where that is a realistic goal for us. Top 3 in the regular season and that’s what we’re striving for.”
Mestre enters the season as last year’s regular season scoring champion and as the Huskies’ all-time leading scorer, though the team will need to rely on more than just Mestre and Andersson for their offence.
“They’ve been around since I started,” Slotboom said of the trio. “It’s been fun seeing them grow. Every single season they’ve consistently gotten better and they’re experience obviously has grown automatically but with that their impact on the program and their stamp on this program.”
The Huskies are also entering unprecedented territory with four-straight ACAC Championship appearances and seeking a fifth in Fall 2025.
“When they started, this program was struggling and didn’t have a whole lot going for it,” Slotboom continued. “Since then, every single season we’ve set new records for themselves as well new records for the program.”
It’s also a responsibility student-athletes like Andersson hold fierce. The responsibility of continuity is there in this group to be passed down to the next group.
“Being one of the oldest on the team and people coming in, it’s really exciting to take on that leadership role both on and off the pitch,” Andersson said. “I feel like I’m more an on-the-pitch kind of player like I show them how to play with heart and determination.”
The Huskies open their 2025 outdoor season Saturday, September 6 at SMS Equipment Place. Admission is free for all fans.
The Huskies’ full 2025 schedule can be found by clicking here.