MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Ontario’s top four female collegiate soccer teams will compete in Mississauga this weekend in a quest to capture the title at the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Women’s Soccer Championships from October 27-28 as Sheridan College hosts the final four Championships at the Iceland Mississauga Complex.

This final four elimination Championship has seen the Durham Lords, Humber Hawks, Algonquin Thunder and Fanshawe Falcons victorious in their quarterfinal matches and advance to the Championships. The West Region champion Humber Hawks will face the Algonquin Thunder on Friday at 2:00 pm while the East Region champion Durham Lords will face the defending champion Fanshawe Falcons in the second match at 5:00 pm.

The East Region champion, Durham Lords (7-0-1) enter as the number one ranked team in Ontario and number three nationally, and hope to reclaim the title they won in 2003 and 2004. Proving they can score the Lords have tallied a league high 39 goals this season and shutout almost every team by allowing just three goals against. The Lords offensive attack features this year’s scoring champion Brittany Micucci. The rookie striker from Newmarket finished the regular season netting 13 goals in seven games averaging 1.86 GPG. This season Durham won their fifth consecutive East Region title establishing their dominance in women’s soccer out East.

The Lords will have a tough task ahead of them as they face off against the defending champion Fanshawe Falcons in the semi-finals on Friday at 5:00 pm. The Fanshawe Falcons are 7-1-1 and finished the year second in the West Region. The Falcons did not give up a single goal in the Championships last year and are the team to beat this season after their gold medal performance last year. In their last three games, Fanshawe has not allowed a single goal in net. Fanshawe goalkeepers Ashley Strocki and Carlye Warner will lead the defensive attack while 2005 Championship MVP Melissa Elie and second year Sarah Nishakawa look to lead the Falcon offence.

The West Region champion, Humber Hawks enjoyed a stellar year and enter the Championships with a 7-0-2 record. Defense was the name of the game for the Hawks this season as they only allowed one goal against in nine games this season. A pair of dangerous rookies will be leading the offensive attack as forward Holly Goddard (1.14 PPG) and midfielder Melissa Magliazza (0.62 PPG) completed a breakout year leading the team in scoring. Veteran fourth-year goalkeeper Heather Longland has been excellent between the pipes this season but she will have a tough task when facing the East Region firing squads of Algonquin and Durham.

The Humber Hawk defence will be challenged in their opening match as they are set to take on the Algonquin Thunder on Friday at 2:00 pm. The Thunder returns to the OCAA Championships missing out on the tournament last season after being upset in the quarterfinals. The team recorded a great year going 6-0-1 in the regular season and defeated the Sheridan Bruins 2-1 in the playoffs. Second year goalkeeper Andrea Reynolds will lead the defence that had an outstanding season allowing only four regular season goals this year. On the offensive end Sam Blais has been a great addition to the team, notching nine goals in seven games.

The Women's Championship Schedule is as follows:
Friday October 27, 2006
Semi Final #1 - Humber Hawks VS. Algonquin Thunder - 2:00 pm
Semi Final #2 - Durham Lords VS.Fanshawe Falcons - 5:00 pm
Saturday October 28, 2006
Bronze Medal - Loser of Semi-final # 1 VS. Loser of Semi-final # 2-11:00 am
Gold Medal - Winner of Semi-inal # 1 VS Winner of Semi-final # 2 5:00 pm

The championship is a single elimination tournament including the top four teams advancing from the quarterfinals.

A complete championship schedule including game times and results will be available on the internet on the OCAA website at www.ocaa.com and on the host tournament website.

For more information on the OCAA Soccer Championships please contact Tournament Host Convenor, Wayne Fish at (905) 845-9430 X: 5261

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.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Michelle Waddick
OCAA Marketing & Communications
P: 416-426-7041
E: waddick@ocaa.com
W: www.ocaa.com