WATERLOO, Ont. - Laurier Golden Hawks captain Ashley Greco has been named the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) West Division Most Valuable Player, becoming the program's first recipient of the award since 2017.

The third-year midfielder from Vaughan, Ont., earned the conference's top individual honour after delivering one of the most impactful seasons in recent program history. 

Greco finished third in the OUA women's soccer scoring race with 11 goals while leading the West division, adding six assists, and 17 points to rank fourth in the conference in both categories.

The Kinesiology and Physical Education student recorded six multi-point matches, including a pair of three-point performances, and scored two game-winning goals as Laurier enjoyed a successful 2026 campaign.

For Laurier women's soccer head coach Barry MacLean, the recognition is a fitting reward for a player whose influence extends far beyond the scoresheet.

"Ashley's been our captain and leader for the last year and even since she's arrived, she's been a quiet leader," said MacLean. "She goes about her business and she never takes a minute off. She's always the hardest-working player on the pitch and puts ridiculous effort into everything that she does.

"The honour this year is well deserved. She's a complete player and I think it's great for the school and great for the program, but I couldn't be more proud of her. She is so deserving of the award."

Greco's offensive breakout was one of the stories of the OUA season. After scoring a combined four goals over her first two years with the Golden Hawks, including three in 2025, she nearly tripled that total this fall.

MacLean credited years of work behind the scenes for the dramatic jump in production.

"She spent an inordinate amount of work on ball striking and finishing over the last two years and that's been rewarded," he said. "Her confidence and ability to get into goal-scoring positions is incredible."

Greco's value was evident in every phase of the game. In addition to her attacking numbers, she took on responsibilities as Laurier's dead-ball specialist, handling corner kicks, free kicks, and penalty duties.

"She's scored and created assists from penalties, free kicks, open play, and corner kicks," said MacLean. "She's been a complete player."

Greco's goal total made her the first Golden Hawk since Emily Brown and Nicole Lyon in 2015 to reach double digits in goals during the regular season. The achievement also places her among an elite group of Laurier players, as she becomes the university's first OUA West MVP in nine years.

The award is the latest milestone in an already decorated career. Greco was named OUA West Rookie of the Year in 2024, earned OUA First Team All-Star honours in 2025, was recognized as a U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian in 2024-25, and received Laurier's Rookie of the Year award during her first season with the program.

Laurier players have now claimed the OUA West MVP award six times overall, with Emily Brown accounting for two of those honours.

For MacLean, Greco's legacy will be defined as much by her leadership and commitment as her statistics.

"She's somebody who cares so much about it," he said. "It's great that she got that honour."