September 2, 2008
RYERSON WOMEN'S SOCCER HOSTS U OF T IN HOME OPENER
TORONTO, Ont. - The Ryerson Rams women's soccer team will host its home opener on Wednesday against the Toronto Varsity Blues at the team's new home field, Lamport Stadium (1151 King St. W.).
The Rams will look to build on the momentum of the past two seasons. The last two years have been the most successful in program history with the team setting season-highs for wins and points, while qualifying for the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) playoffs.
Head coach Peyvand Mossavat welcomes back a veteran team that features 17 returning players and four newcomers. Highlighting the list of returnees are 2007 OUA All-Stars Andrea Raso, Tessa Dimitrakopoulos and Meagan Blodgett. Raso was also named OUA East Division Rookie of the Year after leading the Rams in scoring and finishing sixth in the OUA with six goals. Dimitrakopoulos, a two-time all-star and the 2006 East Division Rookie of the Year, was second in team scoring with five goals, while Blodgett established herself as one of the top defenders in the conference.
Also back are midfielders Kendra Welham and Natalie Russell, both returning from knee surgery.
The newcomers are keeper Misha Maric, forward/midfielder Ashlie Marchese, defender Elise Hanec and Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) transfer Jessica Stanford. Maric played for the Markham Lightening and was Female Athlete of the Year at Birchmount Collegiate, while Marchese captured the 2007 Ontario Indoor Cup championship as a member of the Erin Mills Eagles. Hanec, from Calgary, Alta., was impressive in training camp, making the switch from forward to defense. Stanford played three seasons at MUN where she was a two-time Academic All-Canadian.
"We're coming off the best pre-season preparation we've ever had," said Mossavat, the 2007 OUA East Coach of the Year. "The girls worked very hard and they're excited about the season. They have great chemistry together, which combined with our teamwork is probably our biggest strength."
Game time Wednesday is 6 p.m. Pre-game activities will include a ceremony featuring Ivan Joseph, Ryerson Athletic Director. The Rams will also play on Saturday (Sep. 6) when they host the Nipissing Lakers at Lamport Stadium (2:15 p.m.).
Source: Rams Athletics
The Rams will look to build on the momentum of the past two seasons. The last two years have been the most successful in program history with the team setting season-highs for wins and points, while qualifying for the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) playoffs.
Head coach Peyvand Mossavat welcomes back a veteran team that features 17 returning players and four newcomers. Highlighting the list of returnees are 2007 OUA All-Stars Andrea Raso, Tessa Dimitrakopoulos and Meagan Blodgett. Raso was also named OUA East Division Rookie of the Year after leading the Rams in scoring and finishing sixth in the OUA with six goals. Dimitrakopoulos, a two-time all-star and the 2006 East Division Rookie of the Year, was second in team scoring with five goals, while Blodgett established herself as one of the top defenders in the conference.
Also back are midfielders Kendra Welham and Natalie Russell, both returning from knee surgery.
The newcomers are keeper Misha Maric, forward/midfielder Ashlie Marchese, defender Elise Hanec and Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) transfer Jessica Stanford. Maric played for the Markham Lightening and was Female Athlete of the Year at Birchmount Collegiate, while Marchese captured the 2007 Ontario Indoor Cup championship as a member of the Erin Mills Eagles. Hanec, from Calgary, Alta., was impressive in training camp, making the switch from forward to defense. Stanford played three seasons at MUN where she was a two-time Academic All-Canadian.
"We're coming off the best pre-season preparation we've ever had," said Mossavat, the 2007 OUA East Coach of the Year. "The girls worked very hard and they're excited about the season. They have great chemistry together, which combined with our teamwork is probably our biggest strength."
Game time Wednesday is 6 p.m. Pre-game activities will include a ceremony featuring Ivan Joseph, Ryerson Athletic Director. The Rams will also play on Saturday (Sep. 6) when they host the Nipissing Lakers at Lamport Stadium (2:15 p.m.).
Source: Rams Athletics
