WATERLOO, Ont. - The Laurier Golden Hawks women's soccer program has added talent and depth across the pitch with the announcement of its 2026 recruiting class.

Longtime head coach Barry MacLean, who will be entering his 30th season (31st year) leading the program, welcomes 11 newcomers, including a transfer with NCAA experience and student-athletes from several Ontario club programs.

"We certainly needed help in a variety of positions," said MacLean. "From goalkeeping to forward, every position is represented in this group with multiple people."

Leading the class is Camila Blanco, a winger and attacker from Oakville, Ont., who joins Laurier after spending her freshman season at Southern Wesleyan University in South Carolina. Blanco started 13 of the 15 matches she appeared in for the Warriors, recording three goals and one assist for seven points while gaining valuable collegiate experience.

While Blanco arrives with collegiate experience already under her belt, MacLean believes several members of the class are capable of contributing immediately.

"We're hoping that she's going to have an impact, but there are three or four players in that group that I think could come in and have an immediate impact," MacLean said. "We're counting that two or three of them at least will be in the starting 11. She's one that we have high hopes for."

The Golden Hawks have also strengthened their defensive unit with the additions of Jordyn Henderson, a centre-back from London, Ont., and Zoe Read, a fullback from London, both of whom arrive from London Alliance FC. Laurier's back line will receive another boost from Grace Larsen, a centre back from Toronto, Ont., who previously competed with Burlington Soccer Club.

MacLean highlighted the defensive recruits as players who could make a long-term impact within the program.

"We've got a couple of centre-backs that I think could be long-term fixtures in the team," he said.

In the midfield, Laurier welcomes Jasleen Braich of Oakville from North Mississauga, Cristina Arabit of Oakville from Hamilton United, and Bella Pinczel, a centre midfielder from Milton, Ont., who joins the Golden Hawks from Scrosoppi FC.

Between the posts, the Hawks have added a pair of goalkeepers in Madison Lepage of Courtice, Ont., from Whitby FC and Scarlett Steele of Wainfleet, Ont., from Rush Soccer Club.

"We got two goalkeepers in now that are on a growth curve, but in their second and third years here could be impactful," said MacLean.

The attacking group is rounded out by local products Aaliyah Spence and Sophia Morgan, both strikers from Kitchener, Ont., who played for Cambridge United before committing to Laurier. MacLean also pointed to Morgan, Braich and Blanco as players who possess significant attacking potential.

"With Sophia Morgan and Camila and Jasleen Braich, we have some attacking players that, if they round out the way we would like them to, could be very impactful," he said.

The recruiting class represents a balanced mix of defenders, midfielders, attackers and goalkeepers from across Ontario while also addressing key positional needs and adds depth throughout the roster, as the Golden Hawks continue to develop and compete within Ontario University Athletics.

With recruits hailing from London, Oakville, Toronto, Milton, Courtice, Wainfleet and Kitchener, Laurier's latest class reflects the program's continued ability to attract talent from across the province while maintaining strong ties to Waterloo Region soccer.

"Traditionally, our core talent pool comes in a (100 kilometre) concentric ring around Waterloo," said MacLean. "We've done a little bit of recruiting in Quebec and on the East Coast and in the past on the West Coast, but it's a little more difficult getting people to commit from other regions."

Despite graduating several key contributors from last year's squad, MacLean is optimistic about how the incoming class will complement Laurier's returning core.

"We're going to be a solid group," he said. "I think if we gel as a team, it's going to be a strong group. I think there are people in that group that are going to come in and do very well. They've got good character and good abilities."

2026 Laurier Golden Hawks Women's Soccer Recruiting Class

• Cristina Arabit - Midfielder (Oakville, Ont. / Hamilton United)
• Camila Blanco - Wing/Attack (Oakville, Ont. / Southern Wesleyan University)
• Jasleen Braich - Midfielder (Oakville, Ont. / North Mississauga)
• Jordyn Henderson - Centre Back (London, Ont. / London Alliance FC)
• Grace Larsen - Centre Back (Toronto, Ont. / Burlington Soccer Club)
• Madison Lepage - Goalkeeper (Courtice, Ont. / Whitby FC)
• Sophia Morgan - Striker (Kitchener, Ont. / Cambridge United)
• Bella Pinczel - Centre Midfielder (Milton, Ont. / Scrosoppi FC)
• Zoe Read - Fullback (London, Ont. / London Alliance FC)
• Aaliyah Spence - Striker (Kitchener, Ont. / Cambridge United)
• Scarlett Steele - Goalkeeper (Wainfleet, Ont. / Rush Soccer Club)