There are high expectations for three newcomers coming into the Concordia University women’s soccer team training camp which opens this evening.
Jorge Sanchez, head coach of the Stingers, is eager to see Emily Hubbard, Gabrielle Guilbeault and Jennifer Duff lead a strong recruiting class into a camp that also features a solid group of returning players.
A native of Delta B.C., Hubbard is a five-foot-11 forward who has consistently been a strong scorer. She is a graduate of Delview High School and a product of the Semiahmoo Soccer Club. Hubbard just completed her first season in the Pacific Coast League women's division where she played with the Semiahmoo reserves and finished as the league’s fourth-leading scorer. Hubbard also participated in the Vancouver Whitecaps youth programs and trained with British Columbia provincial teams.
"Emily will bring a different dimension to our attack with her size, strength and nose for the net,” says Sanchez. “She will add a presence in front of the net while filling the role of a target striker."
Hubbard will study Biology at Concordia.
Guilbeault is originally from Quebec but has lived in Keller, Texas for the last seven years where she competed for the Tejanos Soccer Club. A defender, she also played at Fossil Ridge High School where she was team captain in her junior and senior years.
“Gabrielle's size and vision will strengthen our back line, giving us a great weapon in the air and the ability to impose ourselves more in the physical aspects of the game,” says Sanchez.
Guilbeault will study in the Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) program.
Duff is a product of Moncton's First Touch Soccer Club with whom she won provincial championships and competed at club nationals at the U16, U18 and women’s levels. The forward is a graduate of Moncton High School where she excelled at both soccer and hockey. A prolific scorer, she also represented New Brunswick at the 2005 Canada Games.
"We are looking for Jennifer to continue her scoring ways at the CIS level and be a consistent offensive threat each time she is on the field," says Sanchez.
Duff will study English and History.
The Stingers play seven preseason games beginning Thursday versus Merrimack College at 7 p.m. The regular season starts with a road game at UQTR on Sept. 14. The Stingers' home opener is Sept. 16 at noon versus the Laval Rouge et Or.
