From Petit-Rocher to the national stage, Audrey Roy thrives with CAPERS

Audrey Roy’s soccer journey has taken her from a small New Brunswick village to Spain and, ultimately, to a national championship stage with the Cape Breton University CAPERS.

The second-year defender has never strayed far from the values that first drew her to the sport: competition, teamwork and a sense of belonging.

“I love the team aspect,” Roy said. 

“Playing together and really feeling like a family.”

Raised in Petit-Rocher, N.B., Roy began playing soccer at three years old after her parents encouraged her to try a variety of sports. For years, she balanced soccer and hockey before making a pivotal decision in grade nine.

“I played hockey and soccer until grade nine, and then after that I had to make a choice,” she said. 

“As you can see, I chose soccer.”

The decision eventually led her away from home. After playing in her hometown through age 15, Roy moved to the Moncton Academy, living with a host family while pursuing higher-level competition. A year later, an unexpected opportunity arrived.

Following a soccer combine, Roy received an email from an academy in Spain. Intrigued, she explored the opportunity further, submitted video footage and soon found herself crossing the Atlantic.

“I kind of looked into it and was like, ‘Oh, I would kind of love to go there,’” she said.

The experience proved transformative.

Living alongside players from around the world, Roy was exposed to a different style of soccer than she had known growing up in Atlantic Canada.

“Spain soccer is a lot more technical,” she said. 

“It’s a different play than us, a lot more possession.” 

The lessons remain with her today.

“Growing up where I played, it was a lot of kick and run,” Roy said. 

“Going there and playing for a year, I think I really developed keeping possession and keeping the ball and not just kicking it all the time.”

When it came time to choose a university, a family connection helped point her toward CBU. Her older brother had previously played hockey for the Eagles, and after visiting campus and meeting coaches, Roy felt at home.

“It kind of makes me think of home because it’s not a big city,” she said. 

“I love the people. I love the community.”

That sense of community has extended to the CAPERS women’s soccer program, where Roy has become an important contributor on one of the country's top teams.

CBU captured the AUS championship this past season (and was named the MVP) before advancing to the 2025 U SPORTS Women’s Soccer Championship in Hamilton. 

For Roy, the national tournament was another valuable step in her development.

“It was a great team experience,” she said. 

“Obviously, we would have wanted a different result, but I think just the experience in general, and being in my second year and attending two nationals, was a great experience to have.”

The CAPERS’ success, she says, was built on collective effort rather than individual stardom.

“We didn’t have that one person that would always score goals,” Roy said. 

“You didn’t know who could be the hero. I think it was always really working together and getting there together.”

Roy describes herself as an aggressive player who refuses to quit on a play.

“If I lose the ball, I’m going to try to win it back,” she said. 

“I never give up.”

She also credits the season with helping her grow more confident.

“As a rookie, you feel you kind of have less confidence,” Roy said. 

“Coming in this year, I think I was really able to play like myself and really feel confident with the ball.”

One of her favourite memories came during a regular-season road trip to Memorial. After an underwhelming performance in the opening game, the CAPERS responded the following day with a victory.

“We wanted to really win and prove to them that the last game was not who we were,” she said. 

“We were all really relieved and happy with how we played.”

The defining moment, however, came when CBU captured another AUS title despite graduating several key players.

“People were saying, ‘You’re missing Ally Rowe, you’re missing Lauren Rowe,’” Roy said. 

“So I think just proving ourselves this year and really winning that AUS title, that was a feeling of success.”

Away from the field, Roy is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree and hopes to enter nursing next year. Her interest in healthcare stems from a lifelong desire to help others and a growing fascination with the human body through sport.

“I always knew I wanted to be in healthcare,” she said. 

“Helping people is what I want to do.”

Balancing academics and athletics has not always been easy, particularly during championship season, but she credits CBU’s faculty for helping student-athletes manage the workload.

“The teachers here are really great and really accommodate what we have to do,” she said.

Looking ahead, Roy is keeping an open mind about her soccer future. The growth of women’s soccer in Canada and the emergence of professional opportunities have made new possibilities seem attainable.

“Anything is possible now,” she said.

For now, her focus remains simple: continue improving, enjoy the game and embrace every opportunity.

“I think just try to have fun,” Roy said. 

“Work hard and just enjoy it, because it doesn’t last long.”