Cougars Soccer Welcome Versatility in Waddell

Emily Waddell will play between the posts or on field for the Cougars women’s soccer in the fall.

Waddell is a local talent, graduating in 2019 from Neelin High school. During her time at Neelin, Waddell competed with the Spartans in multiple sports. She was a member of the volleyball team that secured back-to-back AAA Manitoba High School Athletic Association provincial championships and was named Most Valuable Player. After graduating, she pursued volleyball at Providence University College for a year before returning to the Wheat City and now changing her focus to the soccer pitch.

“I like soccer for the aggressive, competitive play,” said Waddell. “I enjoy the physically challenging aspect and there’s always opportunity to learn and develop.”

With her cross sport training, Waddell has good hand eye co-ordination which allows her to excel in net. She’s also fast and has good footwork, creating threatening opportunities on the pitch as a forward. Over the summer months, she will hone in on her skills in the Brandon women’s soccer league, playing for the Crush.

“Emily is a welcome addition to the Cougars as she’s able to play both in goal and out,” said Cougars coach Mark Dabbs. “She is a talented keeper but also a speedy and dangerous outfield player. Her versatility will allow us to use her in different roles given the game situation.”

Waddell has inherited her grandfather’s had a passion for agriculture and is taking the college’s Agribusiness program in the fall.