LANGLEY, B.C. – Trinity Western University women's soccer alum and former superstar Nikki Stephenson (Wright) is the newest member of the Canada West Hall of Fame, the conference announced Tuesday. The soccer striker attained the ultimate goal of a Canadian university athlete not once, but three times as an active player in her five-year career at TWU and, ultimately, finished her time with the Spartans with four national gold medals around her neck, as one came in a red shirt (injury) year.

Stephenson's star status as a Spartan was evident from the first beat. She took over the Canada West soccer scene, leading the conference in goals (12) and points (18) in her rookie season. Wright went on to earn the both CW Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year awards, the latter of which is a rarity for a first-year athlete. The national governing body also recognized the Spartan as the U SPORTS Rookie of the Year. Her dominant play continued into the postseason that year, where the CW and U SPORTS first-team all-star took home a U SPORTS tournament all-star nod.

Stephenson cemented her all-star status in the following seasons, with another selection to the CW team. She helped the Spartans repeat as national champions.

A captivating player to watch, Wright went on to win yet another national title with Trinity Western before hanging up her collegiate cleats in 2014.

"Nikki was one of the most impactful and dangerous players our program has ever had in its 25 plus years," said TWU coach Graham Roxburgh. "Her ability to threaten teams with both her pace, power and sheer will to win was so special. She took her athleticism and pace and turned it into becoming a very dynamic and gifted soccer player. Throughout her career, she continued to grow into a player that could change the outcome with a special finish, a great run and cross, or just her overall competitiveness. 

"She truly is one of the greats of our program's success. She possessed a drive and hunger and an explosiveness that brought her individual accolades throughout her career, and more importantly led to the Spartans becoming a formidable force throughout her career and beyond. It was very special to watch her grow into a complete player, but also to see her grow personally and to become an impactful part of our program's history on and off the field."

Stephenson is the seventh Spartan to be inducted into the Canada West Hall of Fame and the third from TWU's women's soccer program. She follows in the footsteps of former TWU teammates Natalie Boyd and Kristen Funk. She also joins fellow Spartans Nick Del Bianco (men's volleyball), Paul Hamilton (men's soccer), Nick Perugini (men's soccer) and Josh Howatson (men's volleyball). 

About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby, as well as women's and men's disc golf. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 13 U SPORTS team championships and 31 Canada West team championships.

-TW-