WSOC: Victoria's Ruby Nicholas named Player of the Year

Oct. 31, 2024 - Victoria's Ruby Nicholas has been named Canada West's 2024 women's soccer Player of the Year.

The third year forward has been the heart and soul of a Vikes team that enjoyed a highly successful 7-2-5 regular season campaign and a second place finish in the ultra competitive Pacific Division. Always a threat to use her break away speed, Nicholas led the Vikes offensively with eight goals, while her 14 points was the fourth highest mark in the conference.

Led by Nicholas, the Vikes are set to make another appearance in the Canada West Final Four this weekend after defeating Saskatchewan 1-0 in the quarter-finals last weekend. Victoria will battle host Calgary in the semifinals this Friday at 1 p.m. MDT.

Nicholas headlines an impressive group of major award winners announced by the conference on Thursday.

After recording the first perfect regular season in Canada West history, the UBC Thunderbirds were well represented with three recipients. Olivia Gomez was named Rookie of the Year, Jacqueline Tyrer was recognized as the Defensive Player of the Year, while Jesse Symons was named Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Saskatchewan's Anna Oliver was also named the recipient of the Student-Athlete Community Service Award, recognizing her exemplary engagement within the University of Saskatchewan and Saskatoon community.

MAJOR AWARD WINNERS & ALL-STARS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ruby Nicholas (Victoria Vikes)

Two-time Canada West All-Star Ruby Nicholas started all 14 games for the Vikes this season, logging over 1,200 minutes on the pitch while providing invaluable contributions in all aspects of the game.

She led the Vikes in all offensive categories, recording eight goals, six assists and 14 points. Her goal and assist totals were fifth-most in Canada West, while her 14 points placed her fourth in the conference leaderboard.

Nicholas can often be found sprinting down the sideline, breaking away from opposing defenders to set up scoring chances or putting the ball in the back of the net.

Nicholas is the first Canada West Player of the Year from Victoria's women’s soccer program since Emma Greig in 2015.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jacqueline Tyrer (UBC Thunderbirds)

Jacqueline Tyrer’s Defensive Player of the Year award puts an exclamation mark on a superb season for the fifth-year from Richmond, B.C.

The defender not only started every single game for the T-Birds this season, she played every single minute, helping the ‘Birds hold the opposition to just four goals against on the year, setting a new conference record for goals against average.

Tyrer is a three-time Canada West All-Star and was named to the U SPORTS Tournament All-Star team in both 2019 and 2023 as she helped UBC to their seventh and eighth national titles.

“Ever since Jacqueline joined us in 2019, she has been a key figure with the team. Playing literally every minute this season, she was a key piece in us producing the lowest goals against average in Canada West history, which further showcases her importance to our squad. She has been a driving light for our team and has helped create a culture of success that has really been unmatched. I am very proud of this worthy selection for her.” - UBC Head Coach Jesse Symons

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Olivia Gomez (UBC Thunderbirds)

Earning Canada West Rookie of the Year as a defender is no small feat, but that’s exactly what Olivia Gomez has accomplished. Appearing in 13 of 14 of UBC’s games this regular season and starting in 11 of them, Gomez not only proved her mettle as a defensive stalwart, but also contributed at the other end of the pitch with a pair of assists.

Earning her way into a prominent role on such a deep and veteran roster is a further testament to both Gomez’ skill set and overall presence on the pitch.

The Richmond, B.C. native is the second straight Thunderbird to win the conference’s Rookie of the Year title, but just the third all-time, following in the footsteps of teammate Sarah Rollins.

“Olivia came in with such confidence to push our team to a new level as an attacking fullback. Her ability on the ball made it very clear from her first match she was going to have to be managed by opposition teams with her passing and crossing precision. An area she really showcased herself was on the defensive end, managing many of the top attacking players from across the conference, while helping the team to a Canada West record record tying 11 clean sheets.” - Head Coach Jesse Symons

STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Anna Oliver (Saskatchewan Huskies)

Displaying incredible leadership both on-and-off the field, Saskatchewan's Anna Oliver has been recognized as the 2024 Canada West Student-Athlete Community Service Award recipient.

Anna has been selfless with her time throughout her time as a Huskie, never shying away from an opportunity to take an active role in making her community a better place. Serving as Vice President of Community Engagement for the Huskie Athletic Council for the past three years, she has led many initiatives like the Huskie Homeroom program and Dream Broker Christmas Hampers. She has also led Huskie student-athlete volunteer efforts for multiple initiatives including the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Radiothon and various Ronald McDonald House Charity events.

Anna has also helped lead the execution of the Huskies' Goal-A-Thon, an initiative that sees the team complete an act of service in the community for each goal scored throughout the season. As the team's Community Outreach Coordinator, the initiative has seen Anna organize 59 volunteer initiatives in the community over the past two years.

Anna has also shown great academic leadership, being named a U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian in four consecutive years. She was awarded a degree in Exercise and Sport Studies with great distinction from the College of Kinesiology in June of 2024.

A committed leader and role model, Anna’s leadership influence extends from her Huskie teammates to young athletes and vulnerable populations across Saskatoon.

"Anna is an amazing leader, captain and teammate for our program. Not only does she perform on the field as a captain, Canada West All-star and a consistent and reliable centreback, but she has been a four year Academic All-Canadian and is extremely involved in our community. She has a passion for being involved in her community and she has made all of us that have been around her better people by inspiring us to actively give back and become a program that is so much more than just the wins and losses on the field. I can genuinely say that there is no one more deserving of this award and recognition than her." - Saskatchewan Head Coach Jerson Barandica-Hamilton

COACH OF THE YEAR: Jesse Symons (UBC Thunderbirds)

​ ​ ​ ​ • Ninth Season

Under the guidance of Jesse Symons, the UBC Thunderbirds became the first women’s soccer team in Canada West history to finish the regular season a perfect 14-0.

Currently in his ninth season with the T-Birds, this is Symons’ second consecutive conference Coach of the Year award. Symons has led UBC to a dominant run in recent years with the Thunderbirds losing just two combined games over the last three Canada West regular seasons.

The Thunderbirds also set a new conference record in 2024 for goals against average, conceding just allowing just four goals in Canada West play.

Symons and the Thunderbirds capped off 2023 with the program’s eighth U SPORTS National Championship title, the second under his tutelage having also won gold in 2019.

Symons has amassed a 82-13-15 regular season record and enters this week’s Canada West Final Four with an 18-5 conference playoff record.

In addition to his two U SPORTS banners, Symons has led UBC to a pair of Canada West Championships in 2016 and 2022 and boasts an 11-4 record at the national championship tournament.