(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS women’s soccer team is adding centre back Evana Eyubeh to their recruiting class of 2024.
The 17-year-old, from Mississauga, Ontario, has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2024 Atlantic University Sport season.
“We’re thrilled at add Evana to our program,” said REDS’ head coach Jon Crossland. “She’s a strong, physical defender that has a big presence on the field. She has great individual defending skills with a lot of grit and bravery that won’t make her many striker friends in the AUS.”
Currently in her Grade 12 year at Mississauga’s St. Francis Xavier Secondary School, Eyubeh was named her team’s MVP in 2023.
A veteran member of the Erin Mills Soccer Club and Scrosoppi FC, Eyubeh has been part of teams that have captured titles at numerous events including Ontario Indoor Cups in 2021 and 2023, the 2022 Ottawa Champions Showcase, the 2023 Blue Chip Showcase in Ohio, the 2023 Bloomsburg Showcast in Pennsylvania, the 2023 New York Cup Showcase, and the 2023 Canada Youth Cup Showcase, in Halifax.
Eyubeh was named MVP and a first team all-star at the FTF Showcase and a first team all-star at the Canada Youth Cup, both earlier this year.
“As an athlete, I feel my speed, ball control, and physicality give me a competitive edge,” said Eyubeh. “As a teammate, my communication skills and adaptability are an addition to the cohesive team unit, ensuring we navigate challenges and achieve shared goals.”
Coach Crossland feels Eyubeh is a key recruit to a key position.
“The AUS is a tight league,” he said. “Last season, eleven of our twelve games were decided by a single goal, so margins are tight and lowering our goals against will help us earn points.”
“The versalitily of our academic offerings at UNB fit Evana’s goals,” Crossland added. “Fredericton felt like home for her and a place where Evana felt comfortable right away, and then she believed that our soccer program can do big things during her time here. Add in our group was welcoming and motivated and it turns out to be a great fit for everyone.”
Eyubeh says a short-term goal of hers will be to make an immediate impact with the team and contribute to victories. Long-term, she hopes to become a key player and be part of a group that wins a conference championship.
Eyubeh will study Nursing while attending UNB.
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Submitted