OSHAWA, Ont. – The Ontario Tech Ridgebacks women's soccer program has added a proven attacking threat with the commitment of Jessica Shears for the 2026 season.
 
Shears brings a wealth of collegiate, provincial and professional experience to the Ridgebacks lineup. The five-foot-six forward most recently competed overseas with WFC Elite Tbilisi in the Georgia Women's Premier League, where she recorded 21 goals and 14 assists in just 11 games, finishing as the league's top foreign goal scorer.
 
Prior to her professional stint abroad, Shears starred at Seneca College during the 2023–2024 season, helping guide the program to OCAA provincial and CCAA national championships. She was named OCAA Provincial MVP, a CCAA National All-Star and led both the provincial and national tournaments in goals, scoring seven across six combined games.
 
Shears also competed in the Horizon League with Oakland University from 2019 to 2023, earning All-Freshman First Team honours and Dean's List recognition throughout her academic career. In League1 Ontario play, she suited up for the Simcoe County Rovers, further sharpening her attacking presence at the semi-professional level. She began her development in the Aurora Stingers OPDL program and attended Bill Crothers Secondary School in Markham, Ontario.
 
"Shears is a tremendous step forward for our program. As an experienced winger, she brings creativity in the final third with clinical finishing under pressure. Her high work rate, leadership and professionalism will strengthen our team culture and drive high standards on and off the field," said Ridgebacks Head Coach Audra Sherman.