OTTAWA - Algonquin College plays host to the 2014 belairdirect Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Women's Soccer Championship, beginning Friday.

All three of last year's medalists return to the big stage, including the defending champion Algonquin Thunder, silver medalist Seneca College, bronze winner Humber College, along with newcomer Cambrian College, making its first-ever appearance in the final four.

The tournament begins with semi-final matches on Friday. All four teams play again on Saturday, with the semi-final winners competing in the gold medal match to determine the provincial champion. The game is preceded by the bronze medal match between the semi-final losing teams.

Three of the four teams will receive an OCAA medal at the conclusion of the tournament, with the gold medalist advancing to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Soccer National Championship in Medicine Hat, Alta., from Nov. 5-8.

Seneca (8-1-0, 2nd East) vs. Humber (8-0-1, 1st West)
Friday, Oct. 24 - 11 a.m.

Toronto rivals that play in opposite divisions do battle with a trip to the OCAA gold medal match on the line.

Humber is one of two unbeaten OCAA teams, having won four straight, including a 3-0 quarter-final victory over Loyalist. Third-year forward Alexandria Kastanis (Richmond Hill, Ont.) scored a pair of goals, and was the leading scorer on the Hawks during the regular season, scoring 10 times.

This is Humber's ninth consecutive trip to the OCAA final four. The Hawks have left with a medal in each of the past eight visits to the championship, including four gold, one silver and three bronze.

Seneca's lone blemish in 2014 was a 1-0 loss at Algonquin. The Sting have won three straight, including a 2-0 win over Fanshawe in the quarter-finals. Third-year midfielder Emma Gattoni (Thornhill, Ont.) scored once, to go along with her team-high 10 regular season goals.

Although two 10-goal scorers are going head-to-head, it will likely be the defence that decides this semi-final. Humber has allowed just three goals this year, while Seneca has only allowed one in its loss to the Thunder.

Although both teams participated in last year's tournament, this is the first playoff meeting between the teams since the 2011 semi-finals, won by Humber 2-0.

Cambrian (8-2-0, 3rd East) vs. Algonquin (9-0-0, 1st East)
Friday, Oct. 24 - 2 p.m.

This semi-final should be billed the indestructible force meets the immovable object.

The Cambrian Golden Shield advance to their first OCAA semi-final on the strength of an offence that scored a league-high 41 goals during the regular season. The Shield added eight more in a pair of post-season victories, including a 2-0 win at Sheridan in the quarter-finals.

Cambrian features the top two scorers in the OCAA. Tiffany Johnson (Sudbury, Ont.) topped all players in scoring with 16 goals, and Taylor Rocca (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) was second with a dozen goals. The duo have combined for six post-season goals.

The Golden Shield will face an Algonquin squad that has not allowed a single goal this season. None. This includes a 1-0 win over St. Clair in the quarter-finals for a ninth straight victory via shutout. Third-year defender and team captain Melissa Harrison (Burlington, Ont.) has been praised by the coaching staff for her defensive prowess all season.

Algonquin can score goals too. Third-year forward Kandyce Whitehead (Burlington, Ont.) led the team with eight regular season goals.

These teams played each other in the season opener, won by Algonquin 2-0. Harrison and Whitehead both scored in the victory.

All games will take place at the Algonquin Soccer Facility located on the Woodroffe Campus of Algonquin College.

Championship Website: www.algonquinsa.com/athletics/ocaaws.aspx

Live Webcast: www.ocaatv.com

Championship Schedule
Friday, October 24
OCAA Semi-Finals
Humber vs. Seneca - 11 a.m.
Algonquin vs. Cambrian - 2 p.m.

Saturday, October 25
Bronze Medal Match
Semi-Final Losing Teams - 11 a.m.
*Winning team presented OCAA Bronze Medal at conclusion of match

Gold Medal Match
Semi-Final Winning Teams - 2 p.m.
*OCAA Gold and Silver Medals presented at conclusion of match

- 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 30 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