Langley – After a record-setting season, Trinity Western women’s soccer captain Jenaya Robertson (Delta, B.C.) has been named the 2019 Canada West Player of the Year and Spartans coach Graham Roxburgh has been named the Canada West Coach of the Year.
It was a season for the record books, as Jenaya Robertson tormented opposition goaltenders to the tune of 14 goals. Robertson’s goal total set the TWU single-season record while also tying for the second most in a single Canada West season, as she played a starring role in TWU’s 12-1-1 season.
Robertson’s 14 goals led the conference by a five-goal margin, closing out the regular season on a six game goal-scoring streak. Her 19 points also tied her with teammate Rachel Hutchinson atop the Canada West leaderboard.
“I’m thrilled that Jenaya has be recognized with this prestigious award,” said TWU coach Graham Roxburgh. “What a fantastic senior year to cap off an awesome career in Canada West. Her hard work, training, focus and the way she approaches the game have been rewarded by getting on the score sheet and having great assists to add to a phenomenal point total for a two-way central midfielder. Jenaya’s dedication to our program and her will to win, and willingness to give everything is a testament to the type of person that she is. She has led our team well, and modelled a servanthood on our team in the way she plays and gives her all. She is a special player and an even better person.”
By winning Canada West Female Player of the Year, Robertson becomes the third Spartan to win the award, joining Spartan alum Jessica King (2014) and former teammate Seina Kashima (2018).
She will now move forward as the CW nominee for the U SPORTS Player of the Year award, which will be handed out next week in Victoria.
In his 21st season as the Spartans head coach, Graham Roxburgh led TWU to yet another league-leading campaign, guiding TWU to a 12-1-1 record, which equals the Spartans women’s soccer record for most points in a regular season (2011).
As a team, TWU led Canada West in goals scored (48), shooting percentage (.221), assists (32) and shutouts (8) and was second in the conference in shots on goal (139) and SOG percentage (.641). After leading TWU to a Pacific Division-winning season, he once again has led the Spartans to the Canada West Final Four, marking the 16th straight season TWU will compete in the conference semifinals.
“Graham combines the rare ability to recruit, connect, teach and inspire his athletes,” said TWU Director of Athletics Jeff Gamache. “His on record speaks for itself in terms of his abilities but what is even more awesome is the impact Graham and his teams make year after year around the world in areas that love soccer but have far less opportunity. I am thrilled that Graham is being recognized as the CW Coach of the Year.”
Roxburgh will now be targeting a ninth consecutive appearance in the Canada West championship match and a third straight conference title.
For Roxburgh, the Coach of the Year honour is the fifth time he has earned the honour, having also won in 2009, 2011, 2014 and 2016.
Along with Robertson and Roxburgh, Fraser Valley’s Bryana Buttar was named Canada West Rookie of the Year, and Avneet Rai of Victoria took home the Student-Athlete Community Service award.
UNBC claimed the Fair Play Award as the conference’s least penalized team.
The 2019 Canada West women’s soccer season concludes this weekend, as the MacEwan Griffins host the CW Final Four in Edmonton. Semifinal action, including Robertson and TWU taking on UBC (3 p.m. MT), is set for Friday. The host Griffins take on the Calgary Dinos earlier in the day at 12 p.m. MT.
Medal games are set for Saturday, with bronze up for grabs at 12 p.m. MT, while the conference championship will be decided at 3 pm. MT.
All four games can be seen live on Canada West TV Presented by Co-op.
CANADA WEST AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Jenaya Robertson
Trinity Western Spartans
Midfielder
5th-year
Business
Delta, B.C.
Spartans fifth-year captain Jenaya Robertson had a year to remember, setting TWU’s single-season goal-scoring, tallying 14 on the year.
The star midfielder captained TWU to one of its most successful seasons in history, taking first place in the Pacific Division with a 12-1-1 record – a mark that equaled TWU’s record for most points in a season with 37 (2011).
Individually, Robertson’s 14 goals led the conference by a five-goal margin, closing out the regular season on a six game goal-scoring streak. Her 19 points also tied her with teammate Rachel Hutchinson atop the Canada West leaderboard.
By winning Canada West Female Player of the Year, Robertson becomes the third Spartan to win the award, joining Spartan alum Jessica King (2014) and former teammate Seina Kashima (2018).
“I’m thrilled that Jenaya has be recognized with this prestigious award,” said TWU coach Graham Roxburgh. “What a fantastic senior year to cap off an awesome career in Canada West. Her hard work, training, focus and the way she approaches the game have been rewarded by getting on the score sheet and having great assists to add to a phenomenal point total for a two-way central midfielder. Jenaya’s dedication to our program and her will to win, and willingness to give everything is a testament to the type of person that she is. She has led our team well, and modelled a servanthood on our team in the way she plays and gives her all. She is a special player and an even better person.”
COACH OF THE YEAR: Graham Roxburgh
Trinity Western Spartans
21 seasons
In his 21st season as the Spartans head coach, Graham Roxburgh led TWU to yet another league-leading campaign, guiding TWU to a 12-1-1 record, which equals the Spartans women’s soccer record for most points in a regular season (2011).
As a team, TWU led Canada West in goals scored (48), shooting percentage (.221), assists (32) and shutouts (8) and was second in the conference in shots on goal (139) and SOG percentage (.641). After leading TWU to a Pacific Division-winning season, he once again has led the Spartans to the Canada West Final Four, marking the 16th straight season TWU will compete in the conference semifinals.
Roxburgh will now be targeting a ninth consecutive appearance in the Canada West championship match and a third straight conference title.
For Roxburgh, the Coach of the Year honour is the fifth time he has earned the honour, having also won in 2009, 2011, 2014 and 2016.
“Graham combines the rare ability to recruit, connect, teach and inspire his athletes,” said TWU Director of Athletics Jeff Gamache. “His on record speaks for itself in terms of his abilities but what is even more awesome is the impact Graham and his teams make year after year around the world in areas that love soccer but have far less opportunity. I am thrilled that Graham is being recognized as the CW Coach of the Year.”
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – Bryana Buttar
Fraser Valley Cascades
Midfielder
Arts
Abbotsford, B.C.
9723
In a historic achievement for the University of the Fraser Valley women’s soccer program, Bryana Buttar has been named the first Canada West Rookie of the Year in program history.
Buttar signed with the Cascades as one of the most touted recruits in program history. Her highly decorated youth career featured a stint with Canada’s U15 national team, three years in the Whitecaps Girls Elite program, and a 2018 BC Provincial Cup with Surrey United.
Her jump to the university ranks this season was seamless. She finished third on the Cascades in goals (three) and points (five), while making an impact all over the pitch with her athleticism and competitive edge.
STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE: Avneet Rai
Victoria Vikes
Midfielder
3rd-year
Education
Surrey, B.C.
9729
Along with being committed and dedicated to the Vikes, Avneet Rai finds time to volunteer and give back to her community.
Thanks to her various community work, both on campus and in the broader Victoria community, Rai is the CW Student-Athlete Community Service award winner.
Within our own Vikes soccer and athletics community, Rai is a member of the Varsity Council. She also volunteers her time to help with the Vikes’ high school tournament, talent ID camp, elite camp and the Prospect Lake Girls Soccer Day.
Along with this work, Rai volunteered with several local organizations, including the Harmony House Shelter for Women, which is a safe environment for women who have escaped domestic violence.
