Karolyne Blain, Cape Breton University

Women's Soccer

Cape Breton Capers’ women’s soccer striker Karolyne Blain started her CIS playing career off with a bang, being named an all-Canadian in her very first year with the team.

Heading into her second year of school and eligibility, the 19-year-old Blain is setting her sights even higher both on and off the field. On the field, she hopes to help her team get to this year’s CIS championship. Off, “once I graduate from CBU, I am hoping to go to med school and to become either a pediatrician or an ER physician.”

Born in the small northern Ontario town of New Liskeard and raised in Sudbury, Blain took up recreational soccer at age 4 and was on to competitive soccer by age 9.

She credits much of her early success to her childhood coach, Frank Malvaso, who she says did his best to give his players a chance to play varsity soccer in their post-secondary careers.

“We participated in showcase tournaments which gave us exposure to varsity coaches from the U.S. and Canada,” she explains. “(Coach) Ness saw me play at a showcase tournament in Mississauga which is how I heard about CBU.”

But, she says, what really solidified her choice to attend CBU was her recruitment trip.

“The coaching staff as well as the players were so friendly and welcoming,” she says. “I was also very shy, so I feel like CBU was a better fit for me because it’s such a small campus and has smaller class sizes.”

Coach Stephen (Ness) Timmons would not be disappointed.

Having now coached her for a year, he describes her as “very quick in her first three steps and strong in possession. Karolyne is always marked by bigger players, but she matches up very well and plays to her strengths.”

In light of her successful first season with the Capers, Timmons says, “I believe with Karolyne’s work ethic and her desire to improve as a player, she can become even more an impact player in this league.”

Getting to know Karolyne Blain:

-          Named the 2011 AUS women’s soccer rookie of the year and a 2011 AUS all-star (striker).

-          Scored 13 goals in her freshman season to lead all first-year players in Canada and tie for third overall in CIS scoring.

-          Started in all 13 of CBU’s regular season games in 2011, finding the back of the net in eight of those contests, including five two-goal outings.

-          Led the AUS in shots with 51.

What has been your most memorable moment playing for CBU?

“On a personal level, [it] would probably be our first game of the season which was against Acadia. I didn’t know whether or not I would even play or which position I would play. I was pretty much ecstatic when I was on the starting lineup and played most of the game, as well as when I scored and got named the Subway Player of the Game. It gave me confidence and reassured me of my decision to join the CBU Capers.”

Follow Karolyne on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarolyneBlain