All female coaching staff leads Mystics Women’s Soccer Program

When Mount Saint Vincent University’s director of athletics and recreation first approached Jenna Blackburn to assume the role of head coach of the women’s soccer team, she was hesitant. Blackburn had recently completed her eighth season as an assistant coach with Danielle Cyr, who left the Mystics soccer program to become head coach of the Acadia University women’s soccer program in February 2025 after serving as head coach for 10 seasons.

It was Cyr who recruited Blackburn to their coaching staff after they had worked together with Soccer Nova Scotia’s provincial teams back in the fall of 2017. They formed a quick friendship and Blackburn became an integral part of the team’s success both on and off the pitch.

“I had always enjoyed being part of the women’s soccer program with D (Cyr), but wasn’t sure about how I would balance the demands of my work while ensuring I was able to provide a good experience for current and future players,” says Blackburn, who works for U SPORTS as the Manager of Sport.

But after discussing the opportunity with her fellow former assistant coaches Lauren Windsor, Abbey MacLeod and Ashley Poirier, they all decided to do it together.

“It was a relatively easy transition for everyone involved,” says Angela Barrett-Jewers, Director of Athletics and Recreation at Mount Saint Vincent University. “The women’s soccer program has a very well-established and positive team culture, and it’s a very welcoming and inclusive environment. I had every confidence that our women’s soccer players would continue to have an amazing experience with Jenna and her assistant coaches.”

Originally from Brookside, Nova Scotia, Blackburn played for the Acadia Axewomen between 2011-15. She also played one season at Algonquin College in 2015-16. She has been coaching in the Halifax County United Soccer Club for a number of years.

Abbey MacLeod joined the coaching staff in the 2021-22 season as part of the CCAA Female Apprentice Coach Program. The New Waterford, Nova Scotia native played three seasons as a keeper at MSVU, earning two conference championships in 2014 and 2015. After graduating from the Mount, MacLeod worked in the business and recruitment offices for four years before leaving to join KBRS. She works with the keepers and provides academic support and direction to current and prospective Mystics women’s soccer players.

Bedford, Nova Scotia native Ashley Poirier joined the program in 2018 while working on a nursing degree at Dalhousie. Poirier played four seasons of NCAA Division I soccer at Jacksonville University between 2012-16. She met Coach Cyr working in the Soccer Nova Scotia REX program. She’s been coaching youth soccer for nearly 20 years and is currently working as a nurse at Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville, Nova Scotia. She commutes to Halifax two-three times per week for practices and games.

Rounding out the coaching staff in Lauren Windsor, who joined the coaching staff in 2021 through a connection with former MSVU men’s soccer head coach, Mark Harnish. Windsor grew up in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and played five seasons with Memorial University’s women’s soccer team.

Blackburn and Windsor played against each other at the 2009 Canada Summer Games and during Atlantic University Sport conference play at their respective universities. A physiotherapist with Accel Health and Sport Performance Centre, Windsor also coached in the United Dartmouth Football Club for a number of years. 

“We have a lot of shared responsibilities,” says Blackburn. “We all have something different to offer based on our previous experiences, which allows us to provide a well-balanced environment for our players.”

As one of just four all-female coaching staffs in the ACAA this season, Blackburn, Windsor, MacLeod and Poirier are all very passionate about girls and women in sport. They built a solid friendship through coaching and it shows in the environment they provide for their players.

“It’s been such a privilege to spend all five of my years at Mount Saint Vincent playing under an all-female coaching squad,” says 2025 ACAA Goalkeeper of the Year, Morgan Gillis. “After playing in five seasons in the ACAA and competing in three national championships, I’ve realized just how rare and special it is to have not only a female head coach, but an entirely female coaching team.”

When asked why they coach, all four gave similar answers.

“The sport of soccer has given me so much,” says MacLeod. “I really enjoy working with the others and I want to give back so that others can have an experience like I did.”

Poirier agrees with MacLeod and adds, “Female role models are very important for girls in sport and I love working with young soccer players at all levels.”

“I really care about the sport of soccer and helping others,” says Windsor. “I’m very passionate about helping girls and women in sport.”

That shared passion for the sport they love and their drive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment as female leaders has a made a difference for their players.

“It’s been an amazing experience that our entire team is tremendously grateful for,” continues Gillis, a sociology and anthropology major from Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia. “Coach Jenna, Abbey, Ashley, and Lauren are incredible leaders and role models for everyone who steps into this program. They treat everyone with respect and kindness; whether it be the team, facilities, referees or opponents.

They’ve created a welcoming, uplifting environment that allows all players to grow, excel, and truly enjoy their time as both students and athletes. It’s been amazing to witness the lasting impact they have had on past and present players.”