2005 FINAL LEAGUE STANDINGS

East (W – L – T)
Durham (7-0-0)
Algonquin (5-1-1)
Fleming, P (4-2-1)
Loyalist (3-3-1)
Centennial (3-4-0)
Seneca (1-3-3)
St. Lawrence, K (1-5-1)
La Cite (0-6-1)

West (W – L – T)
Fanshawe (7-1-0)
Sheridan (6-1-1)
Mohawk (5-2-1)
Humber (4-3-1)
St. Clair (4-3-1)
Lambton (3-4-1)
Cambrian (2-4-2)
Redeemer (0-6-2)
Conestoga (0-7-1)

2005 CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

Gold: Fanshawe
Silver: Sheridan
Bronze: Mohawk

THIS WEEK IN THE OCAA
It’s a new year with a new look and new optimisms in the OCAA Women’s Soccer League this season. Cleats will be tearing up the Soccer Pitch this upcoming week as the 2006 OCAA Women’s Soccer season kicks off this Thursday with the Conestoga Condors hosting the Sheridan Bruins September 14 at 5pm. The defending champion Fanshawe Falcons will start their quest for a repeat title this weekend as they travel down the 401 to their rival St. Clair Saints on September 15 at 5:00pm.

2006-2007 WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM PREVIEWS

EAST REGION

Algonquin
2005 Regular Season Record: 5-1-1 (2nd – East)
2005 Post Season Record: 0-1
Championships Won: 3

The 2006 Algonquin Thunder team is filled with new names and veterans alike as the squad consists of half newcomers and half returning players. Algonquin returns seven players from 2005 leaving room for a talented rookie class to make an immediate impact. Leading the list of returning players to watch out for are Lauren Brown, 2005 All-Star Sweeper and Andrea Reynolds a 6’5 second-year goalie. Coach Garth Gittens hopes his team of newcomers and veterans can mesh to play as a unit and up to their potential with an injury-free season.

La Cite
2005 Regular Season Record: 0-6-1 (8th – West)
2005 Post Season Record: DNQ
Championships Won: 0

The La Cite Coyotes are looking to rebound from a disappointing 2005 season with a new attitude in 2006. The Coyotes will be looking to move up the OCAA standings and become a more competitive team in their West region this season. Head Coach Donald Bouchard returns nine players from last year’s squad and is optimistic his team will have a chance to climb the standings in 2006. In net, the Coyotes have a pair of returning consistent and athletic goalkeepers in Michelle Foley and Michelle Larocque. Also look for rookie Mélanie Dupuis to contribute between the pipes as the season progresses. The Coyotes open their 2006 schedule on the road against Loyalist College on September 22 at 4:00pm.

Centennial

2005 Regular Season Record: 3-4-0 (5th – East)
2005 Post Season Record: DNQ
Championships Won: 0

The Centennial Colts 2006 squad is looking to climb the OCAA standings this season in the East Region after a 3-4-0 overall record in 2005. The team finished fifth in the East Region and failed to make the playoffs. With great leadership from returning players and a solid rookie class, the Colts campaign to improve on last year’s fifth place finish looks promising. Centennial will kick off their season against the St. Lawrence Vikings at home on September 16 at 2:00pm.

Durham
2005 Regular Season Record: 7-0-0 (1st-East)
2005 Post Season Record: 1-2 (4th)
Championships Won: 3

The Lords entered last year’s championship as the only undefeated team in the pre-season and as the 2-time defending champions. It will be a rebuilding season for the Lords this season as they return few starters from last year’s 31-goal powerhouse team. Coach Vaso Vujanovic is looking for a strong recruiting class coming in to help balance out his team. Defensively the Lords look solid between the pipes as they return both goalkeepers, Ashley Visser and Morgan Kelly.

Loyalist
2005 Regular Season Record: 3-3-1 (4th – East)
2005 Post Season Record: 0-1
Championships Won: 0

The Lancer squad accomplished a stellar season last year qualifying for the playoffs for the programs first time in 10 years. Things are looking promising for the Lancers as last year’s turnaround team will see 10 players return to the pitch this season. 2005 East Region Rookie of the Year Jessica Woods, Goalkeeper Sarah Smith and Midfielder Terri Relf lead the key-returning players. Also look for rookie Allison Waddell to help the Lancer backline on defense. The Lancers hope to qualify for the playoffs again this year and improve on their 2005 fourth place finish in the East.

Seneca
2005 Regular Season Record: 1-3-3 (6th – East)
2005 Post Season Record: DNQ
Championships Won: 2

Second year head coach Matt Thomas is hoping to lead his Seneca team to the playoffs this year after finishing sixth in the East last season. The Stings last appearance in the post season was in 2002-03. For the Sting to get back into the top four and secure a playoff spot, they’ll need to find consistent offense and match some of the consistent defense they displayed last year. The team will have to avoid the amount of tied games they tallied last season, a total of three-tied-games seriously hindered the Stings chances of making the playoffs. The Sting will kick off their season at home as they host the Loyalist Lancers this weekend on September 16 at 2:00pm.

St. Lawrence K
2005 Regular Season Record: 1-5-1 (7th – East)
2005 Post Season Record: DNQ
Championships Won: 1

The Vikings are looking to rebound from a disappointing 2005 season with a new attitude in 2006. Third-year coach Ian Armitage welcomes three new assistant coaches to his squad who he hopes will help lead many newcomers to the squad in a rebuilding year for the program. Tammy Whitehead and 2005 All-Star Brittany Wesley lead only seven Viking veterans back to the pitch. This Vikings have failed to make the playoffs in the last five years and hope to climb the East Region standings and contend for a playoff position.

Fleming P
2005 Regular Season Record: 4-2-1 (3rd East)
2005 Post Season Record: 0-1
Championships Won: 0

The Fleming Knights Women’s Soccer Team has been getting closer over the last few years to winning its first ever OCAA Women’s Soccer Title. The Knights put together an excellent string of victories in 2005 and finished third in the east and lost in the qualifying game. This year, the Knights look promising again and are looking to carry over their momentum built from the last three seasons into 2006. Fleming opens its schedule in Oshawa as they travel to take on the Durham Lords September 19 at 6:00pm.

WEST REGION

Cambrian
2005 Regular Season Record: 2-4-2 (7th – West)
2005 Post Season Record: DNQ
Championships Won: 0

If the 2006 Cambrian Women’s Soccer Team starts like it did last season, they will be in contention entering the last month of league action. Last year, the Golden Shield got off to a great start in their first five games with a 2-1-2 record going into the last month. This year the Golden Shield hope to contend from start to finish and grab a playoff spot to compete in the Championships. Cambrian opens their 2006 schedule on the road this weekend as they face off against the Lambton Lions September 16 at 1:00pm.

Conestoga
2005 Regular Season Record: 0-7-1 (9th West)
2005 Post Season Record: DNQ
Championships Won: 2

After winning back-to-back titles in 1991-92 and 1992-93 the Conestoga Condors have been in a slump as they’ve failed to qualify for postseason action in ten years. In order to make the playoffs and climb the West Region standings the Condors must tighten up on defense after allowing in 35 goals last season. The Condors have a tough opening draw as they open the season at home September 14 home against the 2005 silver medallist Sheridan Bruins.

Fanshawe
2005 Regular Season Record: 7-1-0 (1st West)
2005 Post Season Record: 3-0 (Gold)
Championships Won: 5

By all accounts, the 2005 season was a special one for the Fanshawe Falcons. They picked up their fifth gold medal and made history, continuing to lead the OCAA with the most women’s soccer championships. Rookie forward sensation Melissa Eli was an offensive powerhouse picking up Rookie of the Year honours and the West Region Scoring Title with an average of 1.12 GPG. If that’s not enough, the Falcons were lead by Coach of the Year Eva Havaris and were awarded for their defensive efforts by winning the Top Goalkeeper award. The Falcons closed out last year’s season with a 5-game unbeaten streak, and outscored the opposition 28-3 over the stretch of the season.

The Falcons are looking to another prosperous season under Coach Havaris’ reign this season. Depth will likely be the strength of the 2006 edition of the Falcon team, as 12 players return from last year’s Championship squad. Led by 2005 West Region Scoring Champion Melissa Eli the defending champions should once again be a productive goal-scoring team. Setting the anchor for a strong backline is 2005 All-Star and team captain Emily Costello with newcomer Alicia Gomes while returning goalkeepers Ahley Strocki and Carly Warner will mind the nets.

Humber
2005 Regular Season Record: 4-3-1 (4th West)
2005 Post Season Record: DNQ
Championships Won: 3

Looking back for a moment, the Hawks program enjoyed one of their best seasons three years ago when they strung together three consecutive championships from 1999-00 to 2001-02. Since then the Hawks have been unable to continue their winning ways, last year the team finished fourth in the regular season and lost in quarterfinal action failing to make the championships.

Lambton
2005 Regular Season Record: 3-4-1 (6th – West)
2005 Post Season Record: DNQ
Championships Won: 0

The Lambton Lions improved their record from last season and almost qualified for the OCAA Women’s Soccer playoffs with a 3-4-1 record. Lambton entered the final two games of the season with a 3-2-1 record but faltered down the stretch losing their last two games by a combined score of 14-5. The Lions must be more consistent in 2006 to in order to reach the playoffs. The Lions open their season against the Cambrian Golden Shield on Saturday, September 16 at 1:00pm in Sarnia.

Mohawk
2005 Regular Season Record: 5-2-1 (3rd West)
2005 Post Season Record: 2-1 (Bronze)
Championships Won: 1

Mohawk College Head Coach Renzo Castellani enters the 2006 campaign with optimism following a 2005 season that saw the Mountaineers finish with a bronze medal. The team showed their post-season competence by defeating a tough Algonquin squad in the quarterfinals, dropping a close 2-0 game to Fanshawe in the semi-finals and then defeated the early favourite Durham Lords 2-1 in penalty kicks to win the bronze medal.

The 2006 campaign brings an experienced and talented group of Mountaineers to the table under 13th-year head coach Castellani and 10 returning players. Mohawk possesses a quartet of veterans including League All-Stars Ali Bettger and Tara Bonitatibus, Mohawks leading scorer last season Andrea Bonitatibus and defensive standout Amanda Celeste. The Mountaineers hope to better their 3rd place West region finish this season and win another medal at this year’s Championships.

Redeemer
2005 Regular Season Record: 0-6-2 (8th – West)
2005 Post Season Record: DNQ
Championships Won: 0

The Redeemer Royals are looking to improve this season and work their way into the thick of the OCAA playoff race. This season the Royals plan on making a move up in the West Region standings behind 2005 OCAA All-Stars midfielder Rachel DeGroot and striker Cheryl Beishuizen. The Royals have plenty of opportunity this season and are looking for incoming first year players, Kendell Straatsma and Sonya VanGameren to fill out the roster and make for a competitive team in the OCAA. The Royals open their 2006 season September 20th at home vs. Fanshawe Falcons, the defending champion and a perennial league playoff team.

Sheridan
2005 Regular Season Record: 6-1-1 (2nd West)
2005 Post Season Record: 2-1 (Silver)
Championships Won: 1

Last season head coach Paul Angelini and the Bruins enjoyed one of their best seasons in program history since their 1984-85 Gold Medal. Over the last couple of years the team has become a strong contender in the West Region. Last season they proved their soccer prowess finishing with a silver medal and knocking off the 2-time champion, undefeated and top ranked Durham Lords in the semi-final game of the championships. This year the squad looks to win their first title in 22-years in front of a home field crowd as the Bruins host the 2006 Championships from October 27-28. Headlining the 10 returning players from last years squad are midfielders April Leggett and Leanne Burke who led the Bruins in scoring last season averaging 1 GPG.

St. Clair
2005 Regular Season Record: 4-3-1 (5th – West)
2005 Post Season Record: 0-1
Championships Won: 1

The St. Clair Saints enter the 2006 season with optimism following a 2005 campaign that saw the Saints finish 4-3-1 overall and make the playoffs for the first time since 1999-00. A trio of Saints made up of second-year defender Jessica Wouters, second-midfielder Alyshia Fox and third-year forward Christine Ross will be the team’s source of experience for a roster that has a majority of first-year athletes. Watch out for rookie Samantha Scherer to make her mark and assist the Saints on the offensive end of the field. With the Saints returning only five players from last year’s squad, the team will need to mesh together and work on their team chemistry on the field as quickly as possible. The Saints have a tough draw as they open their season at home against the tough defending champion Fanshawe Falcons on September 15th at 5pm.