SURREY, B.C. - The Algonquin Thunder matched their best-ever result at a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women's Soccer National Championship, finishing in fourth place.
After dropping their opener 2-0 to Collège Ahuntsic on Wednesday, the Thunder stormed back with two straight victories, earning a berth into Saturday's CCAA bronze medal match. Algonquin, however, would fall short of a national medal, losing 2-0 to Thompson Rivers University.
Algonquin's fourth place finish was the best performance by an Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) team since Humber College earned bronze in 2010. Algonquin also finished in fourth place in its last appearance at nationals in 2002. This year's nationals was hosted by Kwantlen Polytechnic University with matches taking place at Newton Athletic Park in Surrey, B.C.
After being relegated to the bronze medal round, Algonquin earned its first win of the tournament with a 9-0 rout of Holland College on Thursday. Ginny Cass (Burlington) scored a pair of goals in the victory.
Needing a win on Friday for a shot at a bronze medal, Algonquin edged Northern Alberta Institute of Technology 2-1. Jaymie Baldree (Kingston) opened the scoring for the Thunder, and Cass added an insurance marker before halftime. Goalkeeper Jennifer Kelly (Ottawa) made several key saves throughout for the victorious Thunder.
Following the tournament, veteran midfielder Kelly Avalos (Ottawa) added to her many awards by being named a championship all-star. Avalos is a two-time CCAA all-Canadian, a two-time OCAA player of the year and four-time all-star.
Championship Website: www.ccaa.ca/national-championship-s15054
CCAA Championship Results
Wednesday, November 6
Match 1: MacEwan (ACAC) defeated Holland (ACAA) 8-1
Match 2: Ahuntsic (RSEQ) defeated Algonquin (OCAA) 2-0
Match 3: NAIT (ACAC) defeated Thompson Rivers (PACWEST) 1-0
Match 4: Garneau (RSEQ) defeated Kwantlen (PACWEST) 5-1
Thursday, November 7
Match 5: Algonquin (OCAA) defeated Holland (ACAA) 9-0
Match 6: Thompson Rivers (PACWEST) defeated Kwantlen (PACWEST) 5-1
Match 7: MacEwan (ACAC) defeated Ahuntsic (RSEQ) 2-1
Match 8: Garneau (RSEQ) defeated NAIT (ACAC) 3-1
Friday, November 8
Match 9: Thompson Rivers (PACWEST) defeated Ahuntsic (RSEQ) 4-1
Match 10: Algonquin (OCAA) defeated NAIT (ACAC) 2-1
Saturday, November 9
Match 11: Kwantlen (PACWEST) defeated Holland (ACAA) 4-1
Match 12: Ahuntsic (RSEQ) defeated NAIT (ACAC) 3-1
CCAA Bronze Medal Match
Match 13: Thompson Rivers (PACWEST) defeated Algonquin (OCAA) 2-0
CCAA Gold Medal Match
Match 14: MacEwan (ACAC) defeated Garneau (RSEQ) 2-0
With files from Kwantlen Polytechnic University
- OCAA -
ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is a recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 29 members sponsoring 11 sports.
For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com