The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) men’s soccer is now down to the semi-finals and the stage has been set for some of Ontario’s top collegiate players to compete for the Championship title. Algonquin College is set to host the OCAA Men’s Soccer Championship from October 28-29 at their new 5-million dollar soccer facility in Ottawa.

There are certainly no weak links in this impressive field with the top two teams from each division advancing after quarterfinal action. The single elimination Championship has seen the Algonquin Thunder (Ottawa), Seneca Sting (North York) Humber Hawks (Etobicoke) and Mohawk Mountaineers (Hamilton) victorious in their quarterfinal matches and move on to the semi-finals. The Seneca Sting will take on the Mohawk Mountaineers in the opening game on Friday at 5:00pm, while the defending champion and host Algonquin Thunder and Humber Hawks meet in perhaps the most exciting match of the night at 8:00pm.

The Algonquin Thunder hope home field advantage will provide some additional inspiration as they try and secure back-to-back OCAA Championships. The Thunder (6-1-0) have enjoyed another successful season suffering their only defeat at the beginning of the season, a 2-0 loss to the Seneca Sting. The Thunder tallied 25 goals this season and allowed an OCAA-best, 3 goals against. Rookie mid-fielder Vedran Fustar was the offensive mechanism for the Thunder leading his team with 7 goals in as many games.

The defensive team of the east, Algonquin Thunder will be put to the test as they face the explosive scoring of the Humber Hawks in semi-final action. The west region champion Humber Hawks (7-1-0) boast an OCAA-high 33 goals scored and nine against. Humber’s arsenal includes the high-powered offence of OCAA scoring champion Kwame Osei who netted 13 goals in eight games, midfielder Cameron Medwin (0.75 GPG) and forward Joseph Feijoo (1.00 GPG).

The Seneca Sting, only one year removed from winning the OCAA Championship boast the only undefeated record as they enter with a flawless 7-0-0 resume. The east region champion Seneca Sting finished the regular season allowing just five goals on the year, the second-lowest total behind Algonquin. Seneca’s Jonnoi Ennis (0.86 GPG) will be looking to lead the Stings offence.

Challenging the Sting in the first semi-final will be the Mohawk Moutaineers who enter the championship with a 6-1-1 record. The Mountaineers finished the season second in the west with 21 goals scored and 9 against. Mohawk also had balance on offence with several players contributing goals this season. Heading the list is first year mid-field James Bond scoring four times to lead the team.

The championship schedule is as follows:

Friday October 28, 2005
Semi Final 1 - Seneca Sting VS. Mohawk Mountaineers 5:00PM
Semi Final 2 - Algonquin Thunder VS. Humber Hawks 8:00PM

Saturday October 29, 2005
Bronze Medal - Loser of Semi-final # 1 VS. Loser of Semi-final # 2 12:00PM
Gold Medal - Winner of Semi – final # 1 VS. Winner of Semi – final # 2 6:00PM

This championship is a single elimination tournament including the top four teams advancing from the quarterfinals.

A complete championship schedule including game times and results will be available on the internet on the OCAA website at www.ocaa.com and on the host tournament website.

For more information on the OCAA Women’s Soccer Championships please contact convenor Marlene Ford at Conestoga College (519) 519-748-5220 X:3452 or Tournament Host Convenor, Ron Port at (613) 727-4723 X: 5330.

The OCAA governs intercollegiate sports and promotes physical activity in its member institutions through quality athletic and campus recreation programs. It offers 16 varsity sports to 30 member institutions throughout Ontario.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Michelle Waddick
OCAA Marketing & Communications
P: (416) 426-7043
W: www.ocaa.com