When Jenny Wolever scored in the closing minutes against the UOIT Ridgebacks last Sunday to seal a 2-0 win, the Gaels breathed a collective sigh of relief. 

The goal clinched a crucial three points for a team firmly positioned to grab a top-two finish in the OUA East. None of that would be possible without Wolever—the Gaels’ most dependable player throughout the 2018-19 season.

With her goal against UOIT, Wolever has now scored a staggering 13 goals, good for first among all players in the OUA. She’s been prolific this season, seemingly scoring at will and, as evidenced with her late goal against the Ridgebacks, when her team has needed it most.

“It comes down to working hard up front,” Wolever told The Journal about her knack for scoring. “It’s assuming you’re going to get to the ball when the defender makes a mistake, and it’s also up to my teammates giving me good balls … I’m making the movement, I’m in the open, but they make the passes.”

Despite her individual success, Wolever was quick to credit her teammates as being vital to her accomplishments this season. She said the close bond the Gaels share has proved crucial to the team’s strong run of form.

“We all love each other. We hang out all the time and have a blast,” Wolever said about the closeness she feels with her teammates. “We spend most of our time hanging out and studying together … it’s a really cool team dynamic that carries over and helps on the field.”

Wolever credited Head Coach Dave McDowell for creating a positive team dynamic.

“He’s very encouraging which is nice [and] he genuinely seems to care about us as people and as soccer players.”

Wolever, who’s in her fourth year at Queen’s, will be leaving the soccer program along with five other graduating seniors at season’s end. She only has fond memories of her time with the Gaels—and for good reason. 

In 2015-16, Wolever was named an OUA Second Team All-Star as a rookie, and in the following year was honoured with the title of U Sports Championship All-Star—the team’s best season during her collegiate career, claiming fourth place at the U Sports National Championships.

“I don’t think there’s been anything I would change,” Wolever said about her time at Queen’s. “[T]he team’s been a huge part of my four years here. It’s flown by, and I can’t believe it’s already almost done.” “I would definitely do it again.”

The future of Wolever’s career after Queen’s is far from certain. She said she’s toyed with the idea of making the jump to professional soccer, but her education comes first.

“It hasn’t been something I’ve considered too heavily. Just this past summer, I started thinking about it a bit. I would have to see where I’m at with school, because for me, that’s the most important thing,” she said. “Soccer’s close, but [school] comes first.”

Wolever also hopes the infrastructure for professional women’s soccer leagues continues to develop in Canada. It will greatly impact her decision about whether to play professionally or not.

“If more women’s leagues come to Canada, I would definitely consider it more,” Wolever said, adding she’s hesitant to play soccer abroad. 

Ultimately, she said, it’s going to be about finding a balance.

“If I could make both things work, that would be ideal.”