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Soccer Rams bolster defence with newest addition

Posted by Stephanie Rogers on February 8, 2019 in News

It might still be seven months away, but Lauren Symes canā€™t wait to get started at pilipiliĀž»­ Agricultural Campus.

The 17-year-old Bridgewater resident was recently announced as the newest addition to the Rams womenā€™s soccer team and is coming to the campus in the Fall to enrol in its pre-veterinary program.

ā€œIā€™m very excited,ā€ Symes, who is set to graduate in June from Parkview Education Centre, said. ā€œIā€™ll get to expand my knowledge about animals and get more experience with them in order to better pursue my career. The campus really has a lot to offer.ā€

Along with her work in the classroom, Symes will also be facing plenty on the pitch. The defender is joining a leaky Rams back end which surrendered a league-high 49 goals in just 12 Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) matches last season. The Rams finished joint bottom of the seven-team conference with the Crandall Chargers with a 1-11 record after going all the way to the national championship tournament in 2017 and finishing atop the conference table at 8-1-3 (W-L-T).

However, Symes, coupled with fellow recent defensive addition and North River resident Baillie Lynds, should aid the situation. Symes brings a wealth of experience with 12 years of playing soccer under her belt with South Shore United, Thunder FC and several school sides. Sheā€™s also won provincial titles with both Thunder FC and South Shore and has been coaching for the past five seasons from the Under-4 to Under-13 Level. She hopes to put that resume to good use for the Rams.

ā€œI feel like my leadership skills, dedication and hard work will be an asset to the team,ā€ Symes said.

Rams coach Jackie Ryan agreed and added she canā€™t wait to get Symes suited up in black, gold and white.

ā€œSheā€™s a very experienced player who I look forward to adding to our defensive line,ā€ Ryan said. ā€œShe adds pace and communication and has a tremendous work ethic.ā€

Symes should also be an asset to the campus. As a full international baccalaureate student, she is a high achiever in the classroom. Symes is also a contributor to her community, having been presented with Soccer Nova Scotiaā€™s Community Player of the Year Award in 2017 for volunteer work in her hometown.

ā€œI love getting involved in my community,ā€ she said. ā€œTaking on a leadership role has also helped me empower other people and I like to be a role model for younger athletes within the community. So many people have helped me reach where I am today and I am very thankful to be able to give back to them and the community.ā€