2025 ACAC Women's Soccer Players of the Year
Lethbridge, AB (October 23, 2025) –
North Female Player of the Year | VANESSA PIETRAMALA | Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder (CUE):
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Vanessa Pietramala of the Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder has been selected as the 2025–26 ACAC Women’s Soccer North Division Player of the Year.
A fifth-year midfielder and team captain, Pietramala continued to build on her remarkable collegiate career with another outstanding season for the defending champion Thunder. Through 12 games, she recorded 7 goals, 7 assists, and 21 points, leading Concordia to a dominant regular-season finish. Her vision, control, and leadership in the midfield made her an undeniable force on both sides of the ball, earning her back-to-back North Division Player of the Year honors.
A model of consistency and excellence, Pietramala has made a record 54 career ACAC appearances and leaves her mark in both Thunder and ACAC history. She is a three-time ACAC All-Conference player, two-time ACAC Player of the Year, two-time CCAA All-Canadian, and the 2023 CCAA Player of the Year. Vanessa currently holds the Thunder single-season assist record (16) and the ACAC career assists record (42), along with 37 career goals.
“Vanessa has been one of the most impactful student-athletes to ever wear a Thunder jersey,” said Nate MacLellan, Director of Athletics & Recreation at Concordia University of Edmonton. “Her leadership, work ethic, and commitment to excellence have set the standard for our program.”
Originally from Edmonton, Alberta, Pietramala will graduate this spring with her Bachelor of Education degree. She has been an integral part of the Thunder program since 2021, helping lead Concordia to multiple ACAC medal finishes and a CCAA national appearance.
This prestigious award will be officially recognized at the 2025 ACAC Women’s Soccer Championship, hosted by Lethbridge Polytechnic in Lethbridge, Alberta, from October 24–26, 2025.
The Player of the Year award is proudly sponsored by Alberta Soccer.
South Female Player of the Year | NIKKI CHARLTON | SAIT Trojans:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Nikki Charlton of the SAIT Trojans has been selected as the 2025 ACAC South Women’s Soccer Player of the Year.
Nikki Charlton had a standout senior season for the SAIT Trojans, leading the ACAC as a top attacker. She converted 80% of her shots and averaged over a goal or assist per game. With seven game-winning goals and regular starts, Charlton was both reliable and crucial to her team's success.
After five incredible years with the Trojans, we are extremely proud to see Nikki recognized as an ACAC standout this season. She’s a dominant force on the field and a poised, confident leader off it — always positive, focused, and quietly driven. Nikki has embodied what it means to be a Trojan throughout her entire collegiate career, and what a way to finish it off. Congratulations, Nikki! – Lauren Kucera, Manager SAIT Trojans
Over her five-year career with the SAIT Trojans, Nikki Charlton established herself as one of the program’s most consistent and impactful players. Across 53 games (42 starts), she recorded 33 goals and 31 assists, amassing an impressive 97 career points.
Nikki is a Calgary native and a product of the Foothills Soccer Club. Nikki completed her diploma in Architectural Technology at SAIT in 2023 & is now in year 3 of the Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. In Winter 2025, Nikki was named the ACAC Futsal Championship MVP & eared an invite to the Canadian Women’s National Team Futsal Tryouts.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2025 ACAC Women's Soccer Championship hosted by the Lethbridge Polytechnic in Lethbridge, Alberta, from October 24–26, 2025.
The Player of the Year award is proudly sponsored by Alberta Soccer.
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Emily Peterson, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
emilyp@acac.ab.ca