August 29, 2008
WOMEN�S SOCCER SEASON OPENS AUGUST 31
HAMILTON, Ont. – The Ottawa Gee-Gees begin the road to redemption this Sunday against the Trent Excalibur in the season opener of Ontario University Athletics (OUA) women’s soccer.
The Gee-Gees were a goal away from defending their provincial title in 2007, but fell to the champion York Lions 2-1 in a shootout loss in the OUA Final. York lost the CIS title game to Cape Breton 2-1.
The Gee-Gees will have a relatively new cast of characters on the pitch with just six of 11 starters returning for the 2008 season. Fourth-year player Jess Charron will make her return to OUA in net against Trent. She appeared in one regular season match during the 2005 and 2006 campaigns before sitting out the 2007 season.
The York Lions will wait until the following Saturday to open its title defence, hosting Guelph. While York and Ottawa have been the class of OUA women’s soccer the past number of years, winning a combined four championships in five seasons, the Brock Badgers may be ready to ascend to the championship throne. Brock is returning 10 starters from last season including five OUA All-Stars. They are defender Brittany Vanderkruk, midfielder Ali Gartley, forward Jill Geier, forward Cassandra Van Bakel and defender Stephanie White. Geier and Van Bakel were among the top OUA scorers last season with six goals each as rookies.
The Laurentian Voyageurs will turn to eight rookies to help rejuvenate their program. Laurentian won two pre-season games against the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers (NCAA) and the Concordia Stingers with Dayna Corelli scoring two goals in the contests.
Royal Military College looks to climb up the ladder in the East Division, with 13 returning players. Forwards Marsalie MacKenzie and Kate Searle are expected to fill the void left by the departure of last year’s leading scorer Melanie Ross.
The Windsor Lancers will return a number of key veteran players including midfielders Alissa Mazar, April Leclaire and striker Heather Daichendt. The program is in a rebuilding mode following a winless 2007 season, turning to new coach Angelo Verardi to help correct the course.
Other new coaches with OUA programs include Randy Regan of Guelph and Richard Barnett of McMaster. The Marauders will call the brand new Ron Joyce Stadium home starting this September.
The Carleton Ravens have split a pair of non-conference pre-season games against McGill, with second year striker Sam Sauve netting two goals.
Ryerson went 2-0-2 in pre-season tune-ups, with Tessa Dimitrakopoulos scoring three goals in the contests. One of those victories was a 4-1 win over Guelph. The lone scorer for the Gryphons was Melissa Ptok.
Toronto, Queen’s and Western will participate with McGill in the Old Four Tournament on August 30 and 31 to prepare for its respective regular seasons. Toronto will be led this season by interim head coach Eva Havaris.
Nipissing embarked on a youth-movement in 2007, as the Lakers hope it pays dividends in 2008. Wilfrid Laurier is coming off a bronze medal performance at the OUA championship in 2007. Cross-town rival Waterloo was also a playoff team out of the West Division.
For the complete regular season women’s soccer schedule, visit OUA.ca.
– OUA –
ABOUT ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHELTICS
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 19 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.
The Gee-Gees were a goal away from defending their provincial title in 2007, but fell to the champion York Lions 2-1 in a shootout loss in the OUA Final. York lost the CIS title game to Cape Breton 2-1.
The Gee-Gees will have a relatively new cast of characters on the pitch with just six of 11 starters returning for the 2008 season. Fourth-year player Jess Charron will make her return to OUA in net against Trent. She appeared in one regular season match during the 2005 and 2006 campaigns before sitting out the 2007 season.
The York Lions will wait until the following Saturday to open its title defence, hosting Guelph. While York and Ottawa have been the class of OUA women’s soccer the past number of years, winning a combined four championships in five seasons, the Brock Badgers may be ready to ascend to the championship throne. Brock is returning 10 starters from last season including five OUA All-Stars. They are defender Brittany Vanderkruk, midfielder Ali Gartley, forward Jill Geier, forward Cassandra Van Bakel and defender Stephanie White. Geier and Van Bakel were among the top OUA scorers last season with six goals each as rookies.
The Laurentian Voyageurs will turn to eight rookies to help rejuvenate their program. Laurentian won two pre-season games against the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers (NCAA) and the Concordia Stingers with Dayna Corelli scoring two goals in the contests.
Royal Military College looks to climb up the ladder in the East Division, with 13 returning players. Forwards Marsalie MacKenzie and Kate Searle are expected to fill the void left by the departure of last year’s leading scorer Melanie Ross.
The Windsor Lancers will return a number of key veteran players including midfielders Alissa Mazar, April Leclaire and striker Heather Daichendt. The program is in a rebuilding mode following a winless 2007 season, turning to new coach Angelo Verardi to help correct the course.
Other new coaches with OUA programs include Randy Regan of Guelph and Richard Barnett of McMaster. The Marauders will call the brand new Ron Joyce Stadium home starting this September.
The Carleton Ravens have split a pair of non-conference pre-season games against McGill, with second year striker Sam Sauve netting two goals.
Ryerson went 2-0-2 in pre-season tune-ups, with Tessa Dimitrakopoulos scoring three goals in the contests. One of those victories was a 4-1 win over Guelph. The lone scorer for the Gryphons was Melissa Ptok.
Toronto, Queen’s and Western will participate with McGill in the Old Four Tournament on August 30 and 31 to prepare for its respective regular seasons. Toronto will be led this season by interim head coach Eva Havaris.
Nipissing embarked on a youth-movement in 2007, as the Lakers hope it pays dividends in 2008. Wilfrid Laurier is coming off a bronze medal performance at the OUA championship in 2007. Cross-town rival Waterloo was also a playoff team out of the West Division.
For the complete regular season women’s soccer schedule, visit OUA.ca.
– OUA –
ABOUT ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHELTICS
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 19 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.
