Axewomen bolster back line with Newfoundland standout Jorja Row

The Acadia Axewomen soccer program has strengthened its defensive unit with the commitment of Jorja Row of Paradise, N.L., for the 2026 Atlantic University Sport (AUS) season.

 

Row, a 5'8 defender, joins Acadia following a decorated club and provincial career that includes experience on some of the country’s biggest stages.

 

A product of Mount Pearl Senior High and Paradise Soccer Club, Row helped guide Paradise SC to a provincial championship in 2025 and a fifth-place finish at the Toyota Canada Soccer National Championships that same year. She was also named MVP of the Premier League playoffs in 2023.

 

At the provincial level, Row has been a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador provincial team from 2021 to 2025. She served as co-captain of Team Newfoundland and Labrador at the 2025 Canada Games. Her résumé also includes a gold medal at the 2022 Atlantic Championships and a silver medal finish in 2023. In 2023, she participated in the national identification camp with the Canada Selects program. She previously trained in the Vancouver Whitecaps provincial training program from 2021 to 2023.

 

Row said committing to Acadia represents both a personal milestone and a family connection.

 

“I am super thrilled to study and play soccer at one of Canada’s well-known universities both academically and athletically,” she said. “Having a father who graduated and played hockey at Acadia, I was already aware of their amazing reputation. Getting to represent Acadia as an Axewoman is a dream come true.”

 

She said she looks forward to training in a competitive environment and continuing to grow as both a player and a person.

 

Head coach Danielle Cyr said Row’s defensive presence and leadership qualities stood out throughout the recruiting process.

 

“Jorja is an aggressive centre back with exceptional 1v1 defending and tackling ability — she loves a battle and makes life very difficult for opposing attackers,” said Cyr. “She is comfortable on the ball and plays in possession with composure. Jorja brings great experience from competing in big tournaments, and that shows in the way she carries herself. She’s a vocal leader and a natural organizer at the back — someone who commands her area and drives standards around her. She is a great teammate and we’re thrilled to have her at Acadia.”

 

Row will enrol in the Bachelor of Science in Applied Bioscience (Biopharma) program. She hopes to continue her studies in the health field following her undergraduate degree.