Seawolves Score Second Recruit From Kamloops In Lumley
(Saint John, NB) The UNB Saint John Seawolves women's soccer program has officially signed Payton Lumley to its roster for the upcoming Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association season, adding a composed and versatile midfielder from Western Canada to the Seawolves lineup.
Joining UNB Saint John from Kamloops, British Columbia, Lumley is a graduate of South Kamloops Secondary School and has spent the past several seasons developing at the academy level with Soccer Quest Kamloops. Standing 5’6” and playing primarily as a defensive midfielder, with the ability to slot into centre back when needed, Lumley brings positional flexibility, strong tactical awareness, and a mature understanding of the game that has been shaped through years of competing against older age groups and high-level opposition.
“Payton’s soccer IQ is exceptionally high for a midfielder, and she has the ability to consistently find her teammates in goal-scoring moments,” said the Seawolves’ head coach, PJ Ward.
“She constantly wants the ball, which is essential to how we play. She brings a strong understanding of our principles, reads the tempo of the game extremely well, and knows how to control the rhythm of play. She’s a competitor with great character, and we believe she will elevate our possession game while fitting seamlessly into our team philosophy,” added Ward.
At the club level, Lumley has been a consistent contributor to team success, helping lead Soccer Quest to multiple undefeated league seasons and deep provincial championship runs. She has earned two provincial gold medals and one bronze, serving as a team captain during several of those campaigns. Known for her ability to play full matches at a high tempo, Lumley has built her game around winning possession, distributing the ball accurately into space, and providing stability through the middle of the pitch. Her leadership and team-first mentality have also earned her recognition in the classroom, where she has maintained Distinction Honour Roll status with a 90 percent or higher average since Grade 8.
“Soccer has always been my passion and number one sport,” Lumley said. “It’s taught me so many lessons, from problem-solving to leadership and resilience. The moment I step onto the field, everything else disappears, and it’s just me, my team, and what we’re trying to accomplish together.”
Away from competition, Lumley values balance and creativity. In addition to playing volleyball and hiking, she enjoys cooking, baking, and spending quiet time painting, drawing, and working with ceramics. She has also remained active in her community, assisting with youth soccer coaching programs, refereeing elementary school volleyball, and helping her teams organize food bank donation drives, experiences that have strengthened her leadership skills and connection to sport beyond competition.
Her decision to commit to UNB Saint John was influenced by the culture she experienced during her visit to campus. “I chose UNB Saint John because of how friendly and welcoming the team and coaching staff were,” Lumley said. “From the start, it felt like a place where I would be supported and challenged, and where the team truly felt like a family.”
Lumley will be studying marine biology at UNB Saint John, pursuing a long-standing goal of working in marine science and ocean conservation. Inspired by early travel experiences and a lifelong interest in marine ecosystems, she hopes to combine her academic path with continued competitive soccer throughout her university career.
One of Lumley’s biggest role models is Canadian soccer icon Christine Sinclair, whose impact on women’s soccer and leadership off the field has left a lasting impression. “She’s competed at the highest level, has been a strong voice for women’s sports, and she’s from my home province of British Columbia. She’s someone I’ve always looked up to.”
Welcome to the Seawolves family, Payton!
---- Russell Malally, BSW ‘27 ----