Originally from Newmarket, ON, fourth-year honours biology student and Soccer Mountie Claire Neufeld started looking at universities on the East Coast because of her interest in marine biology. She was also interested in playing on the varsity soccer team.

“I came to practice with the team in the offseason and the whole school just had a good vibe,” she says.

Playing soccer since the age of 5, Neufeld has played all positions except goalie, and now solely plays defence. A starter since her first year, she says the team aspect of soccer and the ability to de-stress on the field are what she enjoys most about the game.

“From day one my team has been a family,” she says. “But its not just our team, it’s all the teams that show support for each other.”

Neufeld was awarded Athlete of the Week honours for her recent performance in a 1-1 draw with UPEI on Homecoming Weekend.

“The team is really coming together and playing well. I always hope to make an impact for the team every time I step on the field,” she says.

Along with soccer, Neufeld is involved with Right to Play on campus, takes part in intramurals, and is passionate about environmental conservation issues.

Neufeld is completing her honours biology thesis this year with Dr. Suzie Currie on the schooling behaviours in juvenile Atlantic Salmon. She plans to take a year off to work after graduating before pursing a marine biology graduate program overseas, possibly in Australia.