The OCAA will be well represented at the 2005 Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) National Soccer Championships as the Algonquin College Men’s Soccer Team and Fanshawe College Women’s Soccer Team are set to compete for the national title from November 9-12 at Langara College in Vancouver, BC.

Ottawa’s Algonquin Thunder is poised to represent Ontario on the men’s side. Algonquin earned their spot after defending their OCAA 2004 title winning the 2005 provincial championships. The Thunder completed their season 9-1-0 in provincial competition by defeating Seneca College 2-1 in the gold medal final. Leading the charge for the Thunder will be OCAA All-Stars Mike Gagliano and Joe Maneiro and 2005 OCAA Championship Tournament MVP Jason Fredericks. Algonquin will open the championship on Wednesday, November 9 at 10:30am against the sixth ranked host Langara College.

The Draw for the Men’s Championship is as follows:

1) Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) (ACAC)
2) Algonquin College (OCAA)
3) Champlain Regional College (FQSE)
4) Douglas College (BCCAA)
5) University of New Brunswick (ACAA)
6) Langara College (BCCAA)

Representing Ontario and vying for the gold medal in the women’s division will be London’s Fanshawe Falcons. This year’s 2005 OCAA Women’s Soccer Champion, Fanshawe College will be looking to continue their near perfect season in Vancouver. The Falcons are ranked fourth and enter the championship with a 10-1-0 record in provincial competition. Leading the team will be OCAA Coach of the Year Eva Havaris and Melissa Elie, a first-year midfielder. Elie made her debut in the OCAA in grand fashion, winning the west region scoring race and being named a league all-star and championship MVP. Fanshawe is set to kick-off on Thursday, November 10 at 1:00pm against the sixth ranked Thompson Rivers University (BCCAA).

The Draw for the Women’s Championship is as follows:

1) FX Garneau (FQSE)
2) Grant MacEwan College (ACAC)
3) Mount Saint Vincent University (ACAA)
4) Fanshawe College (OCAA)
5) Langara College (BCCAA)
6) Thompson Rivers University (BCCAA)

For more information, including schedules, news, results and developments on the 2005 CCAA Soccer Nationals, please click here to visit the Championship Website.

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

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Michelle Waddick
OCAA Marketing & Communications
P: (416) 426-7043
W: www.ocaa.com