SIMPLY THE BEST

For three straight years, the national collegiate men's soccer champion has come from the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA).

Assuming that trend continues (and there is no reason to suspect it won't), 18 teams begin their quest for the national title over the next week, including nine games this weekend.

Defending national champion Sheridan visits the University of Toronto Mississauga in its first-ever OCAA league match on Sunday. Defending provincial champion Algonquin hosts Fleming one day earlier.

The OCAA champion and runner up will represent Ontario at nationals this November, taking place in the Montreal suburb of Saint-Lambert, Que.

MIDDLE MEN

Similar to women's soccer, the OCAA has been split into three groups this season, with a newly created central division to go along with the traditional east and west regions.

Former west teams Humber, Niagara and Sheridan will take its talents to the central, along with crosstown rivals George Brown and Seneca, formerly of the east. UTM will also play in the central.

Algonquin, Cambrian, Centennial, Durham, Fleming and St. Lawrence remain in the east region.

Conestoga, Fanshawe, Lambton, Mohawk, Redeemer and St. Clair stay put in the west region.

Teams will play a double round robin within their respective regions, facing every team both home and away. The regular season has been expanded to 10 games, an increase from seven or eight last year.

NEW GROUP OF DEATH

Prior to Sheridan's national championship, the Humber Hawks won consecutive Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association titles in 2012 and 2013.

These two programs have earned OCAA medal in each of the past five seasons, making any region this duo is a member of the proverbial group of death.

With the Bruins and Hawks taking their rivalry to the central division, the west region suddenly becomes wide open in 2015. Each division winner advances directly to the expanded OCAA championship, along with host Humber.

UPCOMING GAMES

Source: OCAA Communications