St. FX add Nine Recruits

-By Dylan Matthias

Following closely on the heels of UPEI’s large recruiting class, the X-Women have added nine new players.

 The new recruits compliment an already defensive team.

The recruits include Maris Miller (GK),  Stephanie Venedam (FB), Vanessa Smykalski (FB), Victoria Penner (CB), Melanie Sunada (WM), Shannon Venedam (WM), Alix Bruch (CM), and Shannon McPhee (AM).

There isn’t much info available on these players–ever where youth soccer stats exist, it can be hard to gauge the level of competition. If you happen to be familiar with any of these players, consider leaving us a comment.
At a glance, then?

Melanie Sunada, according to the St. FX press release, won a U-18 national championship with Calgary Foothills, a system whose website boasts having produced the legendary Canadian defector Owen Hargreaves. It’s also produced Trinity Western stars Paul Hamilton and Kristen Funk.

Victoria Penner has played with Manitoba’s Canada Games team. On the 2009 games website, she describes herself as aggressive and says her nickname is “The Punisher.” She’s not won much, though, and the Manitoba team finished eighth in that tournament.

Stephanie and Shannon Venedam are local recruits out of Antigonish, and both played with the Highland Knights team that won bronze at provincials last year.

If you know anything else about these players, then join the conversation. We’ll keep looking.

Dylan Matthias is the incoming sports editor of the Dalhousie Gazette. He runs Dal Soccer Live on the side to provide more in-depth coverage of AUS and ACAA soccer.