TORONTO - The following student-athletes have been recognized by the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) for their accomplishments during the seven-day period ending Sunday, Sept. 8.
Leaford Allen
School: Humber
Program: Technology
Year of Eligibility: 2
Sport: Men's Soccer
Hometown: Brampton, Ont.
Making his OCAA debut for the reigning national champions against Niagara on Sept. 6, Allen scored four straight goals to open the match, and five of Humber's six goals in a shutout victory. The second-year forward is the early scoring leader in the OCAA, one goal ahead of his closest rival. Humber is undefeated in its last dozen matches dating back to 2018, including regular season, provincials and nationals. The Hawks have won six of the last eight national championships, and appear to be locked into another title run. Humber hosts Fanshawe in its home opener on Wednesday.
Malek Belhaj
School: Algonquin
Program: English as a Second Language
Year of Eligibility: 2
Sport: Men's Soccer
Hometown: Tripoli, Libya
Belhaj exploded for Algonquin's first four goals of the season in a 5-0 victory at Fleming on Sept. 7. The second-year striker is well on pace to exceed the dozen goals he scored in 2017 to lead the team. The four goals in a match surpasses Belhaj's previous high of three goals against St. Lawrence that season. Algonquin is the eight-time reigning East Division champions, having medalled at provincials in five of the past six years. The Thunder opens the home portion of their schedule this Saturday and Sunday when they host Sault and Cambrian, respectively.
Taryn Gazankas
School: Sault
Program: Nursing
Year of Eligibility: 2
Sport: Women's Soccer
Hometown: Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
In the first-ever Sault women's outdoor soccer match in OCAA against Centennial on Sept. 8, Gazankas was able to secure the first win for the program scoring two pivotal goals. The Cougars were down 2-1 in the second half when Gazankas found the back of the net to tie up the match. She then scored the winning goal on an exciting penalty kick with only a few minutes remaining in the second half. The Cougars held on to win 3-2 in their home opener in their first-ever outdoor soccer league match. Sault will aim for its first road victory this weekend in Algonquin and St. Lawrence.
Georgia Iliopoulos
School: Algonquin
Program: Nursing
Year of Eligibility: 3
Sport: Women's Soccer
Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
Iliopoulos came out of the gates on fire to begin the 2019 campaign, scoring three times in Algonquin's 5-1 victory at Fleming on Sept. 7. The offensive performance was quite impressive from the third-year defender, given she had not scored a single goal in her first two seasons in the OCAA. The hat trick will be one to remember for the reigning two-time East Division All-Star. The Thunder are aiming to return to the OCAA podium this season after striking out in 2018. Algonquin still merits respect on the turf, having won four of the last six OCAA championships.
Courtney McKellar
School: Durham
Program: Biotechnology
Year of Eligibility: 2
Sport: Women's Softball
Hometown: Alvinston, Ont.
McKellar proved to be a reliable bat and defensive presence for Durham in its perfect 4-0 start to the new season. In a season-opening doubleheader at St. Clair on Sept. 7, McKellar was a combined 5-for-8 at the plate, producing four RBI on two singles and three doubles. Her performance led Durham to impressive back-to-back victories over St. Clair in a rematch of the last three consecutive OCAA gold medal games. Despite a tougher day at the plate the following day at Fanshawe, McKellar was strong defensively at third base, delivering three put-outs at the hot corner.
Ryley Vernon
School: St. Clair
Program: Border Services
Year of Eligibility: 2
Sport: Men's Baseball
Hometown: LaSalle, Ont.
Vernon was strong at the plate in St. Clair's opening three games of the season. In a doubleheader sweep at Durham on Sept. 7, the second-year third baseman went 7-for-9 including a double, driving in seven runs while scoring a run in each game. St. Clair won both games 10-5 and 15-1. In a single game against George Brown on Sept. 8, Vernon went 1-for-3 with a double, also stealing a base. St. Clair improved to 3-0 with a 6-2 victory. Vernon will take a .667 batting average and .833 slugging percentage into St. Clair's next games at Lambton on Wednesday.
- OCAA -
ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is the recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student-athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 27 members sponsoring 12 varsity sports.
For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com