Cape Breton's Rowe, Dalhousie's Kenney capture U SPORTS women's soccer major awards

(VICTORIA, B.C.) Cape Breton Capers forward Alliyah Rowe was named U SPORTS Rookie of the Year Wednesday night, while Dalhousie defender Sydney Kenney earned the Student-Athlete Community Service Award for her outstanding contribution both on and off the playing field, as the national award winners were celebrated at the annual All-Canadian Gala.

AUS student-athletes from the Capers, Axewomen and X-Women were honoured as U SPORTS all-Canadians, while players from Cape Breton, Acadia and Dalhousie earned a place on the national all-rookie team.

Trinity Western midfielder Jenaya Robertson was honoured with the Chantal Navert Memorial Award as U SPORTS women's soccer Player of the Year, while UQAM bench boss Alexandre DaRocha was named Fox 40 Coach of the Year.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Alliyah Rowe, Cape Breton

An arts student from Kitchener, Ont., Rowe had a dominant first season with the Capers. She led the AUS and tied for second nationally in goals with 14 on the season. Her 15 total points tied her for first in the conference and ranked fifth in U SPORTS.

She started in all 12 regular season games for the Capers this season and was named Subway AUS Player of the Game on three occasions – Sept. 14 versus Dalhousie, Oct. 5 versus Mount Allison and Oct. 26 versus Moncton.  

Rowe scored two goals and assisted on a third in the AUS final as the Capers won their third consecutive title with a 3-2 victory. Rowe also tied for first in the conference in game-winning goals this season with five.

She becomes the second consecutive Caper to take home U SPORTS women's soccer Rookie of the Year honours, joining teammate Erin Freeman, who won the award last season.

 "Ally has been an impact with our team since day one. She shows great composure on the ball as she leads our front line," said Cape Breton head coach Ness Timmons, "She possesses a high soccer IQ, and is constantly working to improve her game. She is a true pleasure to coach." 

STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Sydney Kenney, Dalhousie

A neuroscience student from Halifax, N.S., Kenney has had success on the soccer field and in the classroom, while also volunteering her time in the community. 

She played in all 12 games for the Tigers this season, starting in 11 of them. The fourth-year defender helped the Tigers to a 6-3-3 record, with just eight goals allowed all season. 

In the classroom, she is a three-time Academic All-Canadian, boasting a 3.94 GPA and hopes to pursue a career in medicine in the future. 

She is heavily involved in the community both on and off campus. Off campus, she volunteers her time with the Veterans Memorial Hospital, Victoria General Hospital and the IWK's Children's Heart Centre. 

On campus she has leant her time to initiatives such as SAMHI (Student-Athlete Mental Health Initiative) and the Special Tigers program (volunteering with young people with intellectual disabilities). 

Kenney has also done volunteer work for Special Olympics, Ronald McDonald House, and other causes. 

Kenney is the first player from the Dalhousie Tigers to receive the women's soccer Student-Athlete Community Service award, since its inception in 2005.

"Sydney has been a consistent performer playing in every game of her four years with us," said Dalhousie head coach Cindy Tye. "An academic All-Canadian each year, she has given back to the Dalhousie and Halifax communities through many initiatives and we are proud she is being recognized."

2019 U SPORTS WOMEN'S SOCCER ALL-CANADIANS

*AUS student-athletes in bold

First Team

Second Team

All-Rookie Team

For the complete U SPORTS release, please click here.