Burlington's Jaiden Morgan named Mohawk College Female Athlete of the Year

When Jaiden Morgan laced up her cleats for the Mohawk soccer team for a match against Lambton, her coach told her to get out there and get two goals. 

Morgan netted five – and two assists – all in only 74 minutes in a decisive 9-0 win that helped her secure her spot as Mohawk College’s Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year during the college’s athletic banquet last week. 

“I wish I could have scored more,” Morgan said. 

During the ceremony last week, Morgan knew she was up against some heavy competition from the basketball team. 

“They’re amazing players, so I didn’t really know my chances of winning,” Morgan said. “I was very humbled and I’m very grateful that I won the award.”

Since playing for Notre Dame in Burlington, Morgan has taken her talents south of the border where she played D1 for Prairie View A&M in Texas before making her return to Canada and joining Mohawk. She was previously a track athlete who competed in sprints, relay, and long jump, which, she added, helped teach her how to accelerate on the pitch. 

The biggest difference between the two country’s soccer style is – in an stereotypical Canadian way – the level of aggressiveness in the U.S.

“It’s much more aggressive in the States, which is why I play the way that I do now,” Morgan said. “I got quite a few cards this season, but that’s partially because I’m a bigger person and that’s the style I’ve been taught. In Canadian soccer, the ball is on the ground a lot more.”

Now in her second year at Mohawk for fitness, health, and wellness, Morgan is looking to play for as long as she can, potentially making the move to Europe to play for a club. 

With her education, she is also ready to get to work for a team – soccer or otherwise. 

“I want to stay in the sports world,” Morgan said. 

Morgan finished the season with nine goals, three assists, two yellow cards, and one athlete of the year award.