Algonquin Thunder. Seneca Sting.
These two women's soccer programs have been the cream of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association the past three seasons, having met in a unprecedented three straight gold medal matches. Algonquin won the championship rubber match between these clubs in 2015.
Will these teams meet for a fourth time? There are (at most) 114 matches to be played before we'll have an answer, with 10 of these games being played over the next three days as the 2016 OCAA regular season begins.
From an individual standpoint, Fanshawe Falcons forward/midfielder Jade Kovacevic (Georgetown) returns to action, coming off an OCAA record-breaking 26 goals during the 2015 regular season. Anything close to this output this season will place Kovacevic into the all-time Top 10 in OCAA scoring.
The reigning bronze medalist St. Clair Saints will earn a bye into the OCAA championship this October as host of provincials. The eight-team tournament takes place Oct. 27-29.
The regular season league format remains status quo for 2016, with two divisions of six teams, and one of seven clubs. Each team plays a double round robin schedule within their division, hosting each team once.
The three division winners earn byes into the championship. Each division will send its top four teams into the post-season (or top three in the West Division plus St. Clair). If the Saints win their division, then the second-place team will earn a bye to the quarter-finals.
The remaining eight teams that don't earn a bye compete in the crossover round, with the four winners advancing to provincials.
The OCAA champion advances to nationals, taking place in Montréal this November.
2015-16 SEASON IN REVIEW
Regular Season Champions
East Division: Algonquin (12-0-0)
Central Division: Humber (7-2-1)
West Division: Fanshawe (9-1-0)
OCAA Medalists
Gold: Algonquin
Silver: Seneca
Bronze: St. Clair
OCAA Championship (Hosted by Fleming College)
Quarter-Finals
Algonquin def. Sheridan 1-0
Cambrian def. Humber 1-0 (PK)
Seneca def. Fanshawe 3-1
St. Clair def. Fleming 6-2
Consolation Round
Sheridan def. Humber 2-0
Fanshawe def. Fleming 1-0
Semi-Finals
Algonquin def. Cambrian 4-2 (OT)
Seneca def. St. Clair 2-1
Consolation Final
Sheridan def. Fanshawe 4-2
Bronze Medal Final
St. Clair def. Cambrian 4-0
Gold Medal Final
Algonquin def. Seneca 4-1
Source: OCAA Communications