Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Growing up playing alongside each other, the Sherwood Park Phoenix alumni who are now on the MacEwan Griffins women's soccer team have an inherent chemistry on and off the field.

They're about to gain another member.

Genevieve Bachand is joining fellow recruit Amelia Russo and other Phoenix alumni Alyx Henderson, Toni Gill, Jayda Mitchell and Abbey Froese on the Griffins for the 2022 Canada West season, head coach Dean Cordeiro announced Friday.

"They're good friends and they'll all be playing together, so it's a cool story," he said. "They've been under the tutelage of Andres Schillin, and Eric and Sarah Munoz as their coaches. They're three quality coaches who have created a great environment for player development.

"Obviously, the other Phoenix kids who came before – Alyx Henderson, Toni Gill and some of the others we have – they all know each other, so that was a big draw."

With her tenacious style of play at the fullback position, Bachand will fit in well with the Griffins.

"Genevieve is tough as nails – very fast and physical," said Cordeiro. "She has a great motor, which is so important for the demanding position of fullback. Gen is an excellent 1v1 defender, great with her angles and distances, and good in the air. She also has the ability to play as a centre-back if needed there.

"She checks all the boxes for attributes we look for in our back four. We're excited about how her skillset is going fit into our system."