OTTAWA - The Algonquin Thunder knew they would play host to the 2012 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Women's Soccer Championship last May. They just didn't know if they would be participating in it until last Saturday.

Algonquin handled its sudden-death quarter-final meeting with Conestoga quite easily, however, and with the 4-0 win remain one of four teams with championship aspirations. All will compete at the Algonquin soccer facility in Ottawa, beginning this Friday.

The Thunder are the only undefeated team in the OCAA, but the East champion has drawn a familiar opponent in the semifinals. Algonquin and Fanshawe will meet for the third straight year with a trip to the gold medal match on the line.

The other semifinal pits two-time defending OCAA champion Humber against this season's Cinderella story, the Centennial Colts. The Colts finished with a sub-.500 regular season record, but have earned consecutive 1-0 post-season victories to advance to semis for the first time since 2001. It is Centennial's first post-season since 2004.

Humber, Algonquin and Fanshawe have all finished in OCAA medal position in each of the past two seasons. The gold medalist will represent Ontario at nationals.

Centennial (5-4-1, 5th East) vs. Humber (9-1-0, 3rd West)
Friday, Oct. 26 - 1 p.m.

The Colts had a quiet start to the regular season, losing two straight before bouncing back with consecutive victories. Although Centennial would finish with a record of 3-4-1, it ended its regular season on a high, winning 2-0 at Loyalist.

Perhaps only the Colts expected what came next. Forced on the road, Centennial took the long trip to Ottawa and escaped with a 1-0 victory over La Cite in the qualifying round. The Colts then pulled off the biggest upset of the playoffs, eliminating OCAA West champion Sheridan 1-0.

Second-year forward Miriam El-Masri (Scarborough) led the Colts with five goals during the regular season, and scored both game-winning goals in the playoffs. Centennial has not allowed a goal in over 270 minutes of action.

It doesn't get any easier against defending champion Humber. Keeping the Hawks off the scoreboard will be a challenge, as fifth-year forward Keyla Moreno (Toronto) and first-year midfielder Jayde Wiklund-Roach (Brampton) combined for a dozen goals during the regular season.

Humber suffered its first regular season loss in 66 matches when it dropped its regular season finale 2-1 against Fanshawe. As a result, the Hawks also had to play in the qualifying round, winning 3-0 at home against Mohawk. Humber then took to the road, defeating Durham 3-1 in the quarter-finals. Moreno earned a goal in each game. Humber has advanced to the OCAA semifinals every season since 2005.

Centennial has never won a women's soccer championship, earning silver on two occasions. The winner will earn at least an OCAA silver medal, with a chance to advance to nationals. The losing team plays for bronze.

Fanshawe (8-1-0, 2nd West) vs. Algonquin (8-0-1, 1st East)
Friday, Oct. 26 - 3:30 p.m.

Fanshawe plays Algonquin in a semifinal rubber match. The Falcons edged the Thunder 2-1 in 2010, while Algonquin reversed the score last year, but needed penalty kicks for the win.

Algonquin has the benefit of playing this game on home turf. The Thunder have not lost a home game since 2007. Algonquin tied Sheridan with the fewest goals allowed during the regular season at three.

Offensively, fourth-year midfielder Jaymie Baldree (Cornwall) led the Thunder with six goals. Victoria Marchand (Gatineau, Que.) scored twice in Algonquin's quarter-final victory.

While Algonquin is undefeated in nine games, Fanshawe has won eight straight, including Saturday's 2-1 overtime victory over Seneca.

First-year forward Marisa Oliveira (London) led the Falcons with six goals. Fanshawe has won a medal in each of the last three seasons, including gold in 2009. Algonquin has not won the OCAA title since 2002.

As is the case in the first semifinal, the winner earns at least an OCAA silver medal, while the losing team plays for bronze.

The tournament will be webcast on Sportslive.ca.

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

Championship Schedule

Friday, October 26
OCAA Semifinals
Centennial vs. Humber - 1 p.m.
Fanshawe vs. Algonquin - 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 27
Bronze Medal Match
Semifinal Losing Teams - 1 p.m.
*Winning team presented OCAA Bronze Medal at conclusion of match

Gold Medal Match
Semifinal Winning Teams - 3:30 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 16 league and tournament championships.

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