Guelph's Olivia Rizakos named 2025 U SPORTS women’s soccer player of the year

Olivia Rizakos, a fourth year forward from Guelph, has been named the Chantal Navert Award winner as the U SPORTS women’s soccer player of the year. Other national award winners announced during the All-Canadian Banquet held in Hamilton on Wednesday were McMaster defender Shalagh Guha, who was named rookie of the year; Leah Adams of Acadia, who won the Student-Athlete Community Service Award; and Montréal head coach Nadège Akamse, who was honoured as the Fox40 coach of the year.

The 2025 U SPORTS championship gets underway Thursday at Ron Joyce Stadium on the campus of McMaster University and culminates Sunday with the national championship game at 5 p.m. Eastern. All 11 games from the eight-team tournament will be webcast live on CBC digital platforms in English and Radio-Canada’s digital platforms in French. 

CHANTAL NAVERT MEMORIAL AWARD (player of the year): Olivia Rizakos, Guelph

Olivia Rizakos becomes the first Gryphon to win the Chantal Navert Award as the U SPORTS Player of the Year following her extraordinary season in leading the Gryphons to their first nationals appearance since 2017. The fourth year forward and team captain has had an extraordinary season helping lead her Gryphons to the OUA final and top spot in the OUA West division. The Toronto native emerged as one of the premier forwards in the country, scoring 11 times (2nd in OUA) in the regular season while leading the conference with nine assists and 20 points in 12 regular season games. Rizakos recorded a point in 12 of Guelph’s 15 games (including postseason) this season. In her three playoff games, she had a goal and an assist. Rizakos is one of the main focal points of a Gryphons attack that has scored the fourth-most goals (31) in the conference. Rizakos, who is pursuing her master’s in psychology at Guelph, is a three-time OUA All-Star. 

Other nominees: Zoë Rowe (Memorial), Maude Lagacé (Montréal), Tamara Djurisic (Mount Royal).

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Shalagh Guha, McMaster

Stepping on to the conference stage for the first time was no daunting task for this rookie as Guha played and started all 12 games for the McMaster Marauders. The centre back scored three goals and four assists. In her debut season, her contributions either tied or closely followed her team’s leaders. One of Guha’s best outings came against the Waterloo Warriors where she tallied one goal and supported on two more in McMaster’s 7-1 win. Studying engineering, Guha helped the Marauders finish third in the OUA West and go on a solid playoff run, ending their season in the quarterfinals and earning the No. 7 seed at the U SPORTS national championship.

Guha is the first Marauder to be named national rookie of the year.

Other nominees: Avril Jamieson (STFX), Mathilde Beaudry (Laval), Sophie Harrison (UBC)

STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Leah Adams, Acadia

A fifth-year defender from Truro, Nova Scotia, Leah Adams has embodied what it means to be a student-athlete both on and off the field during her time with the Acadia Axewomen. 

One of the AUS’s most consistent and dependable players, Adams started and played the full 90 minutes in all 12 regular-season matches this year. She earned player-of-the-game honours in a 4-0 win over Moncton on Sept. 12, scoring twice from the back line. Her strong play also earned her a spot as an AUS first-team all-star, marking her third straight year as an AUS all-star following second-team selections in 2023 and 2024. 

In the classroom, Adams is equally accomplished. A five-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian, she has completed both a Bachelor of Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Education and is currently pursuing graduate studies. 

Her leadership and compassion extend far beyond the pitch. Adams has made a lasting impact on the Acadia and Wolfville communities through countless volunteer hours with KinderSkills, AWAKE, and SMILE, mentoring children and youth of all abilities through inclusive sport and physical activity. She has also coached local teams, supported adaptive sport programs, and organized community initiatives such as a Soccer Baseball Tournament that raised over $4,800 for the Canadian Cancer Society.  

Through her athletic excellence, academic success, and commitment to service, Leah Adams exemplifies the spirit of U SPORTS, representing Acadia University and the AUS with integrity, compassion, and leadership. 

She is the fourth Axewoman to win this award, following Caoimhe McParland (2014), Alana Fairfax (2012) and Cathleen Bleakney (2011).

Other nominees: Karina Fortier (Sherbrooke), Hannah Chown (Toronto), Erin Stewart (Trinty Western).

FOX40 COACH OF THE YEAR: Nadège Akamse, Montréal

Nadège led her team to the regular season championship title, with a record of 13 wins, no losses, and one tie. The Bleues scored a total of 36 goals and conceded only one. Both statistics are highs within the RSEQ, and the one goal allowed is a new Quebec conference record.

Nadège accomplished all this while being a new mother. Just a few weeks before the season, she gave birth and managed to balance her roles as coach and mother perfectly. She even mentioned at the start of the season that it was easy because she had 21 free babysitters on the team!

She is the second Carabins coach to win the award, following Kevin McConnell in 2008.

Other nominees: Cindy Tye (Dalhousie), Angelo Cavalluzzo (Toronto), Jesse Symons (UBC) 

The All-Canadian and All-Rookie teams were also announced Wednesday. The full list of honorees follows.

2025 U SPORTS WOMEN'S SOCCER AWARDS & ALL-CANADIANS

Chantal Navert Memorial Award (player of the year):                  Olivia Rizakos, Guelph

Rookie of the Year                                                                            Shalagh Guha, McMaster

Student-Athlete Community Service                                           Leah Adams, Acadia

Fox40 Coach of the Year                                                                   Nadège Akamse, Montréal        

First Team All-Canadians

Second Team All-Canadians

All-Rookie Team

(Teams listed in alphabetical order by position. Teams are chosen without regard to position.)
(The All-Rookie team contains 12 players: three from each conference)