For the second straight season, Jade Kovacevic of the Fanshawe Falcons is the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Soccer Player of the Year.
Kovacevic received the award during the All-Canadian Banquet at the 2019 CCAA Women’s Soccer National Championship, hosted by Concordia University of Edmonton.
“Jade is a very special player who leads her team with hard work, patience and maturity,” said Marlene Ford, CCAA Women’s Soccer Convenor. “Although she is the most natural goal scorer I have ever seen in the CCAA, she is often the first to get back defensively and support her teammates – she is just a creative and gifted athlete who has a real love for the game.”
Kovacevic led the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) in scoring with 24 goals, 12 more than the nearest competitor. She set a new OCAA all-time record with 103 career goals – in only four seasons. The four-time CCAA All-Canadian led the Falcons to an 8-0-1 record and first-place finish in the OCAA West Division.
“Jade has set a standard of excellence in CCAA Women’s Soccer over the course of her career that is simply incredible and unmatched,” said Nathan McFadden, Manager of Athletics at Fanshawe College. “When others want to compare themselves to the best that every played, they will look at her.”
Kovacevic also led FC London to a 2019 League1 Ontario Championship. She was the League1 Ontario Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot winner. In addition, Kovacevic is highly involved with the youth girls program at FC London and has been a mentor to several up-and-coming youth national team players and provincial program mentors.
She currently holds an Ontario C Coaching License and continues to seek educational avenues to build her knowledge of the sport.
Kovacevic, who’s varsity soccer career will conclude this week in Edmonton, has become a player her teammates trust and confide in. She has exceptional character and a high desire to compete and succeed.
“She is an exceptional leader, teammate and person who is extremely deserving of this honour,” said McFadden.
Other nominees for the CCAA Women’s Soccer Player of the Year award were Kanae Yamamoto of the VIU Mariners (Pacific Western Athletic Association), Marissa Webb of the NAIT Ooks (Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference), Noémi Paquin of the Champlain Saint-Lambert Cavaliers (Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec) and Nikki Roberts of the Holland Hurricanes (Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association).
CCAA Player of the Year winners receive a customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring Supplier of the CCAA National Championship Awards Banquet.