Image: Jordie Arthur, UFV Athletics / Two more promising players have signed with the UFV women's soccer program, giving head coach Ari Adams even more options amid an exceptionally talented roster next fall. UFV announced Wednesday (Dec. 18) that it has welcomed Coquitlam midfielder Anastasia Kalpidis (left) and Langley winger Alivia Newman to the team's 2025 recruiting class. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

UFV women's soccer

UFV women’s soccer program signs two more talented players from the area

Dec 19, 2024 | 6:40 AM

ABBOTSFORD — Two more promising players have signed with the UFV women’s soccer program, giving head coach Ari Adams even more options amid an exceptionally talented roster next fall.

UFV announced Wednesday (Dec. 18) that it has welcomed Coquitlam midfielder Anastasia Kalpidis and Langley winger Alivia Newman to the team’s 2025 recruiting class. Both are standouts with Surrey United SC.

The two players join McKenna Toop, Kyla Kerr, Jassica Landhre, and Sadie Welsh who were previously announced as part of the Cascades recruiting class.

“I had the pleasure of coaching both Anastasia and Alivia at Surrey United within the BCSPL program,” Adams noted about the two recruits. “I am excited to see them further develop into University players as they work towards their goals.”

Kalpidis, who is currently overcoming a knee injury, noted that Coach Adams was a big reason for choosing UFV.

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“I want to come back from my injury and work hard to be a better player than before,” the midfielder continued.

Adams says Kalpidis will be an important addition to the team’s midfield.

“Anastasia is a central midfielder who provides energy and grittiness to any team she plays for,” said Adams. “Her technical ability and high soccer IQ separates her from her peers.”

Following a stellar high school career in which she helped lead her Walnut Grove Secondary squad to the finals in the AAA BC Girls provincial final, Newman hopes to bolster the Cascades offensively when she joins the Cascades.

“Alivia is a winger whose speed will be hard to deal with at the Canada West level,” Adams explained. “Her ability to get past fullbacks will have her competing right away as a rookie. Alivia’s pace and power will be a great addition to the program.”

When it came to academics and athletics, both were a huge factor in Newman’s decision to enlist at UFV.

“I chose UFV because they offered a great education, small classrooms which really appealed to me, and it seems like a very welcoming, and supportive environment,” Newman said. “I also chose UFV for their great soccer program. I want to continue to develop and grow as a player. I want to have a big impact on the field and contribute to UFV’s success. I want to be a part of a supportive team and hope to make some lifelong friends.”

The Cascades women’s soccer team will return to Canada West action next fall, with the schedule to be released this summer. All Cascades regular season games are available to be streamed live and on demand at canadawest.tv. UFV students get free admission to watch the Cascades regular season home games.