Mount Royal midfielder Tamara Djurisic has been named the 2025 Canada West women's soccer Player of the Year.
The Edmonton, Alta. product was the heartbeat of a Cougars squad that enjoyed one of their best regular seasons in program history, compiling a 10-3-1 record and finishing second in the highly competitive Prairie Division. Using her elite playmaking and finishing ability, Djurisic co-led the conference in scoring with nine goals in 14 games. She also added five assists for a total of 14 points, the second-highest total in the conference.
Her outstanding season rewrote the Cougars history books, as she became the program's all-time leading goal scorer - in just her third season. Her nine goals also set a new program record for most goals in a single Canada West campaign.
Her scoring touch was key in helping the Cougars advance to the Canada West Final Four for the first time in program history last weekend, as she scored a crucial tying goal in a 2-1 comeback victory over UBCO. She'll look to help the Cougars earn their first Canada West Final berth when they battle UBC in the semifinals on Thursday afternoon (3:30 p.m. PDT at Ken Woods Field in Vancouver).
Djurisic headlines an impressive group of major award winners announced by the conference on Wednesday morning.
The UBC Thunderbirds featured a trio of major award winners after recording another perfect regular season, including Rookie of the Year Sophie Harrison, Defensive Player of the Year Ella Sunde, and Coach of the Year Jesse Symons.
Erin Stewart of the Trinity Western Spartans was named the Student-Athlete Community Service Award recipient for her selfless dedication to volunteering and serving others, both locally and internationally.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tamara Djurisic (Mount Royal Cougars)
Midfield | Third Year | Edmonton, Alta.
Third-year midfielder Tamara Djurisic proved invaluable for Mount Royal on the pitch this season, leading her team to their best historical finish in the regular season.
A power to be reckoned with on the pitch, the midfielder delivered an outstanding season while leading the conference with nine goals. She also led the Cougars with five assists, and was second in the conference in total points with 14.
Djurisic now holds the Mount Royal women's soccer record for most goals scored in a single season and is already the program's all-time leading goal scorer, an incredible feat in only three seasons.
"Tamara's recognition as CW Player of the Year is a testament to her exceptional talent, unwavering consistency, and the special quality she brings to every moment on the field. She not only raises the level of play through her individual brilliance, but also embodies what it means to be a truly outstanding teammate, inspiring and elevating everyone around her." - Tino Fusco, MRU Women's Soccer Head Coach.
To read the Canada West release with the full list of award winners, visit their website.
