Soccer takes centre stage in Ottawa this weekend as Algonquin College plays host to the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) final four Men’s Soccer Championship from October 26-27, 2007. Algonquin last hosted the provincial championship in 2005, shortly after the grand opening of the soccer specific Algonquin Athletic Field Complex.

The Algonquin Thunder (Ottawa), Fanshawe Falcons (London), George Brown Huskies (Toronto) and Seneca Sting (North York) qualified for the Championship this weekend with all four teams winning quarterfinal matches. The three-time defending champions and host Algonquin Thunder will take on the Fanshawe Falcons under the lights on Friday at 8:00 pm while the George Brown Huskies will face the Seneca Sting at 5:00 pm.

The defending national champions Algonquin Thunder enter the Championship with an 8-1-0 record and will be trying to secure the four-peat, a feat that has never been accomplished in OCAA Men’s Soccer. The OCAA’s leading offence is fronted by 2006 OCAA Athlete of the Year Loui Legakis. Legakis had an outstanding regular season leading the East Region in scoring with 10 goals (1.25 GPG). In total, twelve Algonquin players scored at least one goal, the most by any team in the OCAA. Algonquin will be tough to beat in the Championship, never having lost a single game on home turf at the new soccer facility.

The Fanshawe Falcons will hope to upset the Thunder in the nation’s capital as they are set to meet in the semi-finals on Friday at 8:00 pm. The Falcons will look to the foot of veteran forward Greg Remijn for offence as he averaged 1.38 GPG during the regular season. Remijn also scored the lone goal in Fanshawe’s 1-0 victory over the Durham Lords in their qualifying match on Saturday, propelling the Falcons to their first championship appearance since 2004. Fanshawe has not won a semi-final match since 1996, the same year they last won the title.

The George Brown Huskies enter the championship as the number one ranked team in Ontario and number three nationally. The Huskies went undefeated in 2007 (7-0-2) including an upset win over the previously undefeated Algonquin Thunder. Sophomore forwards Noel Ellerton and Koboni Nyakahuma lead George Brown in scoring with six goals apiece, helping the Huskies finish second overall in OCAA scoring. This is the second consecutive year the Huskies have qualified for the championship, after missing out for ten years prior. George Brown is in search of their first title since going back-to-back in 1972 and 1973.

Looking to upset the Huskies in the semi-finals will be the Seneca Sting who enter the championship on a high note defeating the West Region champions Sheridan Bruins in their qualifying match. The Sting did not even know if they would qualify for the playoffs at the beginning of last week, having to win their regular season finale and needing some help from others. Stars were aligned for the Sting as they were fortunate enough to make the playoffs and then went on to upset the Bruins on the road behind a pair goals from Marcus Reiner and Rickey Harris. Seneca was the last college besides Algonquin to capture the provincial title, last winning in 2003. Fans in North York are hoping that the Sting continue their winning ways and bring the title back to the GTA. Seneca will match up against the number one ranked George Brown Huskies on Friday at 5:00 pm. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw early in the regular season.

CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE:
All games @ Algonquin College

Thursday, October 25, 2007
OCAA Championship Awards Banquet – Algonquin College – 6:00pm

Friday, October 26, 2007
Semi-Final #1: Seneca vs. George Brown – 5:00 pm
Semi-Final #2: Fanshawe vs. Algonquin – 8:00 pm

Saturday, October 27, 2007
Bronze Medal Game: Losers of Semi-Finals - 12:00 pm
Gold Medal Game: Winners of Semi-Finals – 6:00 pm

The championship is a single elimination tournament including the top four teams advancing from the quarter-finals. All games will be streamed online at www.sportslive.ca.

A complete championship schedule including game times and results will be available on the OCAA website at www.ocaa.com. For more information on the OCAA Men’s Soccer Championship, please contact convenor John Faragher at Lambton College (519) 542-7751 ext. 3286 or the Algonquin College athletic department at (613) 727-4723 ext. 7709.

The Algonquin Athletic Field Complex is a 5.4 million dollar soccer specific facility located on the Woodroffe Campus of Algonquin College. The facility is used year-round as an air-structure is erected from November thru April. The playing surface is artificial turf which measures 110 yards by 70 yards and is fully lit. It has four locker rooms, a field house, public washrooms, a physiotherapy clinic, coaches and officials rooms, a vending area as well as a seating area to relax.

The OCAA governs intercollegiate sports and promotes physical activity in its member institutions through quality athletic and campus recreation programs. It offers 15 varsity sports to 30 member institutions throughout Ontario. For more information on the OCAA visit www.ocaa.com.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
OCAA Marketing & Communications
Phone: (416) 426-7041
Fax: (416) 426-7308
Email: dennis@ocaa.com