AV俱乐部

AV俱乐部 Agricultural Campus provided a package that Erin Higgins just couldn鈥檛 pass up.

The combination of being able to study for a Bachelor of Science degree at home while playing soccer for coach Jackie Fitt-Ryan led the 17-year-old Onslow resident to recently commit to the Rams this Fall.

鈥淚鈥檓 pretty excited about it,鈥� Higgins, a fullback, said. 鈥淛ackie is a great coach so I鈥檓 excited to play for her and it鈥檚 just good to be able to stay home, go to school and play soccer.鈥�

Higgins is the latest recruit to commit to the team ahead of September鈥檚 new semester. Striker Kaileigh Langille, a 17-year-old Stellarton resident, was also recently added, helping to bolster the Rams鈥� attack.

As excited as Higgins is to open a new chapter in both her athletic and academic life, the Rams may be even more so. A solid defender, who has most recently played for both Trevor Gordon鈥檚 Cobequid Cougars high school program and Ryan鈥檚 XFC Under-18 girls club team, Higgins also has an offensive upside to her game.

鈥淪he likes to move forward, which we all appreciate,鈥� Ryan, who also coached Higgins over the winter in a senior women鈥檚 league in Stellarton, said. 鈥淪he is talented and I know she can come in here and contribute right away.鈥�

And not a moment too soon. This Fall, the Rams will be without the services of last season鈥檚 MVP Emily Merks, who also claimed the school鈥檚 female athlete of the year award. The defender and academic all-Canadian kept the Rams鈥� back line stabilized all season, providing the team a springboard to mount an attack.

鈥淓rin has some big shoes to fill but I think she can slide into that position really well,鈥� Ryan said. 鈥淪he is quick and has the ability to play at the back but be an attacker as well.鈥�

Along with her defensive skill and offensive prowess, Higgins also brings a wealth of experience to the Rams. She has been playing the game since she was an eight-year-old and helped the Cougars to a Northumberland region title last fall. She also helped XFC to an appearance at the provincial championships and she hopes to use her soccer knowledge to help the Rams improve on their 3-8-1 (W-L-T) record which slotted them sixth among seven teams in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association.

鈥淚 just want to come in, work hard and help the team do well,鈥� Higgins said.

There were no shortage of possibilities open to Higgins for her post secondary studies, but getting a quality education at home while continuing to play soccer was almost a no-brainer.

鈥淒al ACwas always an option for me in my mind,鈥� Higgins said. 鈥淛ackie told me a lot about it and she really helped me make my decision.鈥�