Coming off a successful 2016 campaign that saw them finish with a PACWEST bronze medal, the Capilano Blues women’s soccer team has brought in a promising crop of new players to continue the program’s upward trend. Head coach Dennis Kindel is heading into his third year at the helm of the Blues, and after recruiting across the Lower Mainland he has his squad already gearing up for the 2017 season.
"The recruiting class for the upcoming season will be one of Capilano's best," said Kindel. "Our roster is much deeper from top to bottom, and this will go a long way towards helping us to a successful season. We will be more balanced across the board, which will make us tougher to play against and make the whole team stronger."
Sydney Schmidt
Position: Defence
High School: WJ Mouat Secondary, Abbotsford
Academic Program: Human Kinetics
Career aspirations: Physiotherapist
Accomplishments: 2016 – High school provincials; 2017 – Club team provincials
Taylor Cahill
Position: Winger
High School: Langley Fine Arts
Academic Program: Human Kinetics
Career aspirations: Firefighter
Accomplishments: 2017 – Provincials with club team
Gurleen Heer
Position: Forward
High School: Delview Secondary, North Delta
Academic Program: Human Kinetics
Accomplishments: 2016 – 2nd place at SX Cup and Mayor’s Cup; 2017 – 2nd place at Coastal Cup, have qualified for Provincial tournament in July
Claire Ye
Position: Defence
High School: Dr. Charles Best Secondary, Coquitlam
Career aspirations: Elementary school teacher
Accomplishments: U13, U14, and U18 Provincial Team; 3-time provincial finalist and 2015 BC Provincial High School Champion
Adrianna Babinski
Position: Midfield
High School: Dr. Charles Best Secondary, Coquitlam
Academic Program: Arts
Accomplishments: U13, U14, and U16 Provincial Team; 2x provincial finalist
Catrina Olstrom
Position: Striker
High School: Centennial Secondary, Coquitlam
Academic Program: Business
Career aspirations: Accounting
Rabiah Dhaliwal
Position: Defence/Midfield
High School: Panorama Ridge Secondary, Surrey
Academic Program: General Studies
Career aspirations: Clinical neurologist
Accomplishments: 2017 – BC AAA Provincial Champions, AAA Fraser Valley Fraser Valley Champions, BC Coastal Cup finalist; 2015 – BC Coastal Girls League Champions
“[I want] to grow as a player at the college level and help the team possibly win a provincial title and make it to nationals. I also hope to become a stronger player and be able to match the intensity of college-level soccer on the field.
“I’m glad to have chosen Capilano for my post-secondary education as the smaller class sizes will allow me to thrive academically while also being able to focus on soccer.”
Jaime Petersen
Position: Winger
High School: Argyle Secondary, North Vancouver
Academic Program: Psychology
Career aspirations: Nursing
Accomplishments: MWSL Cup Champions, 2016-17
