ANCASTER, Ont. - The St. Clair College women's indoor soccer team shocked the OCAA by winning the gold medal on Saturday in Ancaster, Ont.
It is the first-ever gold for the St. Clair women's indoor soccer team and second medal ever (bronze in 2000). This is only the second season back in indoor soccer for the Saints after competing for a couple of years back in the early 2000s.
The championships were hosted March 20-21 at Redeemer University College. The Top 8 eights in Ontario were taking part in the event after qualifying by finishing in the top two at the four regional events in early March. There are a total of 17 teams competing in indoor soccer in the OCAA.
It was not an easy road for the Saints. On Friday, during round robin play, St. Clair opened with a tight 1-0 win over the Georgian Grizzlies. The winning goal was scored by Alessia Vagnini (Tecumseh, Ont.). In their next match the Saints struggled to a 0-0 draw with the Centennial Colts. The Saints controlled the play for most of the match but failed to capitalize on many great scoring chances. In their third and final match of the day St. Clair managed to upset the Sheridan Bruins by a score 2-0. Melanie Daniel (Tecumseh, Ont.) scored both goals for the Saints. Katrina Arnold (Essex, Ont.) was outstanding in net for St. Clair turning aside many great chances not allowing any goals in the three matches. The Saints ended up in first place in their pool.
This set up a semi-final match at 9 a.m. on Saturday with perennial soccer power Seneca College. Seneca recently were crowned the OCAA outdoor champions also winning CCAA bronze. The Sting were also the defending champions from last season in indoor soccer. This was a great match with the game tied 0-0 at the half. The Saints went up 1-0 early in the half on a tally by Daniel. Seneca tied the match with eight minutes left in the game. The teams then played 15 minutes of extra time before going to penalty kicks. The Saints won the penalty kicks 3-0 with Arnold stopping two of the shots and one missing the net.
The championship match was against Fanshawe College who defeated Sheridan College 1-0 with two minutes left in extra time. It was a back and forth match but neither team could score in regulation time with both keepers making some great saves. With only three minutes remaining in the 15 minutes of extra time Stefanie Dummer (Windsor, Ont.) snuck in the golden goal off of a deflected shot.
Dummer was named to the tournament all-star team along with Arnold. Arnold was also named the top goalkeeper and tournament MVP. Arnold played all five matches (including two extra times and penalty kicks) allowing only one goal.
The Saints are coached by head coach Steve Vagnini and assistant coaches Kris Geier and Gadeer Sobh.
Source: St. Clair College