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Cardoza Signs Professional Contract with Halifax Tides FC
2/23/2026 8:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown women's soccer defender Naya Cardoza '26 has signed her first professional contract with the Halifax Tides FC.
"I am extremely grateful for my four years at Brown, and how I was able to grow," Cardoza said. "Brown will always be a place I call home. As the next step in my journey, I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join the Halifax Tides and be part of building something special in the city. I'm excited to contribute both on the field and beyond it, especially by inspiring young girls to pursue their goals in sport. I can't wait to get to work with my teammates and represent this club and community."
Cardoza had a sensational senior season, capped by receiving First Team All-Ivy League, Ivy League All-Tournament, United Soccer Coaches First Team All-East Region, First Team All-New England Women's Intercollegiate Soccer Association (NEWISA), and an invitation to the NEWISA Senior Bowl. A two-time Ivy League champion, Cardoza made 65 appearances for the Bears and has international experience as a senior national team member of the Reggae Girlz (Team Jamaica).
"I am so proud of Naya and her signing with Halifax Tides," said Kia McNeill, Messing Family Head Coach for Brown Varsity Women's Soccer. "From the moment she stepped on campus, it was clear she had the tools and mentality to play at the next level. Over the course of her career, she grew into an exceptional leader as a two-time captain who set the standard for our program every day. Her impact on both sides of the ball was undeniable. She has always welcomed the big moments and found a way to impact the game when it mattered most. Halifax is getting a tremendous player and person, and I truly think the sky's the limit for Naya."
Naya was a unanimous First Team All-Ivy selection and the leading vote-getter among defenders by NEWISA.
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