TORONTO - The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) has finalized its league schedules for the upcoming 2017-18 varsity regular seasons.

Competition begins on the weekend following Labour Day for most of the fall league sports. The two-time defending OCAA champion Algonquin Thunder kick off the women's soccer season when they host their East Division rival Loyalist Lancers in Ottawa on Sept. 8. Thirteen other teams will take to the pitch the following day, the beginning of six straight Saturdays of soccer action.

Women's Soccer Schedule: www.ocaa.com/sports/wsoc/2017-18/schedule

The Niagara Knights and Fanshawe Falcons get the honours of kicking off the men's soccer season in London on Sept. 9, one of seven matches that day. The Humber Hawks, winners of four of the past five national and provincial championships, will take to the pitch the following afternoon when they visit the UTM Eagles in Mississauga in a Sunday matinee.

Men's Soccer Schedule: www.ocaa.com/sports/msoc/2017-18/schedule

First pitch of the women's softball season takes place on Sept. 8 when the Conestoga Condors host the St. Clair Saints in an evening doubleheader in Kitchener. The two-time reigning OCAA champion Durham Lords begin their quest for a three-peat the following day when they visit Fanshawe.

Women's Softball Schedule: www.ocaa.com/sports/fastball/2017-18/schedule

Men's baseball has only seen one champion in its four seasons as an OCAA varsity sport. That team, the St. Clair Saints, take to the diamond on Sept. 9 when they host the George Brown Huskies in Tecumseh in a twin bill. It is one of three doubleheaders taking place that day, and 30 throughout September and October.

Men's Baseball Schedule: www.ocaa.com/sports/bsb/2017-18/schedule

The defending OCAA champion Georgian Grizzlies will be the first on the pitch for a new men's rugby season, as they host the Mohawk Mountaineers in Barrie on Sept. 10. Two days later, the Sheridan Bruins visit the Conestoga Condors in Kitchener.

Men's Rugby Schedule: www.ocaa.com/sports/mrugby/2017-18/schedule

The women's rugby sevens schedule is unique as all matches will be played on Saturdays at one location in tournament style events. The defending OCAA champion Humber Hawks host the first group of matches on Sept. 16 with all teams taking part.

Women's Rugby Sevens Schedule: www.ocaa.com/sports/wrugby7/2017-18/schedule

OCAA fans will have to wait until October for the start of the winter league sports. The Battle of Sudbury highlights the beginning of volleyball as the Cambrian Golden Shield hosts the Boreal Viperes on Oct. 18. The reigning OCAA men's volleyball champion Mohawk Mountaineers won't begin their title defence until Oct. 27 when they host the St. Clair Saints in Hamilton.

Men's Volleyball Schedule: www.ocaa.com/sports/mvball/2017-18/schedule

The Humber Hawks, who have gone an entire decade without losing a provincial championship, will put their 127-win streak versus OCAA competition on the line when they host the Redeemer Royals in Etobicoke on Oct. 26.

Women's Volleyball Schedule: www.ocaa.com/sports/wvball/2017-18/schedule

Two schools make their OCAA debut in basketball this season. The Conestoga Condors begin on Oct. 20 when they visit Fanshawe in London. The following day, the UTM Eagles visit the Lambton Lions in Sarnia. The OCAA men's basketball champion Sheridan Bruins begin their season on Oct. 26 when they host Fanshawe in Brampton.

Men's Basketball Schedule: www.ocaa.com/sports/mbkb/2017-18/schedule

The three-time reigning OCAA women's basketball champion Humber Hawks begin their quest for four straight when they visit the Conestoga Condors in Kitchener in the home debut for the latter.

Women's Basketball Schedule: www.ocaa.com/sports/wbkb/2017-18/schedule

Schedules for OCAA tournament sports have also been released. Unlike league sports, schedules are not based on a structured format, with tournaments begin hosted by member schools throughout the season.

Badminton Schedule: www.ocaa.com/sports/bmt/2017-18/schedule
Cross Country Schedule: www.ocaa.com/sports/xc/2017-18/schedule
Curling Schedule: www.ocaa.com/sports/curling/2017-18/schedule
Golf Schedule: www.ocaa.com/sports/golf/2017-18/schedule
Indoor Soccer Schedule: www.ocaa.com/sports/indoor/2017-18/schedule

League and tournament schedules lead into its respective OCAA championships, dates and locations listed below:

2017-18 OCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is the recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student-athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 29 members sponsoring 12 varsity sports.

For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com