Memorial University's women's soccer team will be adding bona fide international experience to their line up ahead of the upcoming 2024 AUS season. Trading the Swiss alps for the rocky shores of Newfoundland, youth national team goalkeeper Leana Claude has signed for the Sea-Hawks. The native of Grenchen, Solothurn will pursue a Bachelor of Engineering degree at Memorial.
Claude has played for Switzerland's national team at the U16, U17, and U19 levels, most recently in U19 Euro qualifying. Also admirably accomplished at the club level, Leana is a 2-time Swiss national champion with BSC Young Boys Frauen U19s. Having starred throughout the youth ranks at the club, Claude has been promoted to the first team where she currently competes in the AXA Swiss Women's Super League.
On her decision to relocate to Canada and join the Sea-Hawks, Leana revealed "firstly, the coaching staff impressed me with their dedication and vision for player development, which I believe will help me significantly with my growth both on and off the field. Academically, Memorial University offers a strong Engineering program which aligns perfectly with my career goals. Additionally, the city of St. John's looks very beautiful."
Sea-Hawks head coach Mike Power is "nothing short of ecstatic" about the team's latest recruit. "To add a seasoned player of this ability, who has represented her country on the international stage, and is coming from a very high-level environment, is a massive boost for our program. We have an outstanding group of girls that we have been building with, and Leana can help to further raise our level." He continued, "she is also a terrific student, an extremely dedicated athlete, and overall, a highly motivated young person. She will find many likeminded individuals in our locker room, which I know will make this a great fit."
Sea-Hawks goalkeeper coach Matty Peddle said "during the scouting process, we were extremely impressed with Leana's all-around abilities. She is a very engaged goalkeeper, has a diverse and sophisticated toolkit, and her mobility is excellent. We cannot wait to start training with her, and to welcome her into our goalkeeper union."
On her playing style, Claude added "I try to actively participate in the game, organizing and communicating with my defense. Plus, I am a reactive goalkeeper, ready to respond quickly to shots and different game situations." She continued "I aim to contribute strong shot-stopping abilities, effective communication with the defense to maintain a solid backline, and quick decision making in high pressure situations."
She concluded "I am excited about meeting new people, learning about a new culture and continually improving my goalkeeping, while having the opportunity to pursue my studies. I hope to achieve both academic and athletic success. Ideally, I would like to become an AUS champion with my new teammates."
Coach Power added "we'll work diligently to effectively integrate Leana's abilities into our strategies and approach. In addition to her intelligence and maturity, I can tell already that, like me, she is very detail oriented. She'll have plenty to offer, and we can't wait to get started."
Claude becomes the third member of the women's soccer 2024 recruiting class, following the previously announced additions of local starlets Luci Thoms and Ellie Power. In 2024 Memorial will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the program's first and only AUS championship. Although Memorial has qualified for the conference semi-final in each and every season since then, a feat of longevity matched only by the Capers, the Sea-Hawks have yet to return to the AUS final since that 2014 triumph.