Eyubeh And Crossland Win AUS Awards
(FREDERICTON, NB) On the eve of the Atlantic University Sport women’s soccer championship, the UNB REDS are celebrating two major season end awards.
First-year fullback Evana Eyubeh (Mississauga, ON) has been named the league’s Rookie of the Year while head coach Jon Crossland was named Coach of the Year.
“I’m grateful for the recognition from my peers,” said Crossland. “We have a great group of coaches in the AUS that are doing great things within their schools and community’s. It’s recognition of our team’s hard work over the past twelve months, and that includes our players, coaching staff, and support staff. It’s not a one-person program, so many people contribute to our team with their time and energy. We have great people around the girls, and I appreciate their time, dedication, and support.”
Eyubeh started all 12 games for the REDS this season, recording one assist.
“Being named Rookie of the Year means a lot to me,” she said. “It’s a reflection of the support from my teammates and coaches, the hard work, and pushing myself to keep getting better. I’m so grateful to have been able to contribute and make a difference for the team this season.”
Eyubeh, along with teammates Aurora Hughes Goyette (Garibaldi Highlands, BC), a fourth-year fullback, and Carolina Grzesniak (Oshawa, ON), a fourth-year midfielder, was also named a 1st Team All-Star.
Third-year fullback and team captain Julia Dalley (Burlington, ON) was named a 2nd Team All-Star.
“I think it’s a result of putting in consistent effort, staying focused, and always being willing to learn,” said Eyubeh. “Being around such a talented, high-standard team allowed me to really excel and achieve this. I’m proud of the progress I’ve made, but there’s always room to keep growing and getting better.”
“Evana stepped in right away and demonstrated her strength as a player,” said Coach Crossland. “She’s a great one-on-one defender and has matched up well with the dangerous attacking players in our league. She was ready for university soccer. Evana is calm and is confident in her abilities and that brings confidence into our team that resonates throughout the players. We’ve seen it time and time again this season that regardless of the opponent, Evana will be up for the challenge.”
The REDS finished the 2024 regular season with a 9-2-1 (W-L-T) record, a marked improvement over their 2-6-4 run in 2023.
Eyubeh is the first RED to win Rookie of the Year since Andrea Matson, in 2001.
For Crossland, the honour is his second Coach of the Year award, the first coming a decade ago, in 2014.
By virtue of their second place finish in the AUS standings, the REDS have earned a first-round bye at this weekend’s conference championship tournament, hosted by STFX.
UNB awaits the winner of Thursday’s quarter-final between the No. 3 ranked Acadia Axewomen and the No. 6 seeded X-Women. That Friday semi-final is scheduled for 4:00pm.
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS: File UNB Athletics