ANCASTER, Ont. - Redeemer University College plays host to the 2019 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Women's Soccer Championship beginning Wednesday.
All three of last year's OCAA medalists return to the big stage, including the defending provincial gold medalist Fanshawe Falcons, the three-time runner-up Humber Hawks, and bronze winner Durham Lords.
Four OCAA quarter-final matches take place on Wednesday, leading to Friday's semi-finals. The semi-final winners advance to Saturday's gold medal match, while the losing teams play for bronze. There will not be a consolation round unlike past championships.
Thursday will be a rest day for the semi-finalists, with the championship banquet taking place.
The other five teams advancing to provincials include the host Redeemer Royals, Algonquin Thunder, Niagara Knights, Seneca Sting and Sheridan Bruins.
The OCAA champion and runner-up advances to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Soccer National Championship in Edmonton from Nov. 6-9.
Niagara (5-2-2, 4th West) vs. Fanshawe (8-0-1, 1st West)
Wednesday, Oct. 23 - 10 a.m.
The reigning champions and national bronze medalists have not lost an OCAA-sanctioned match since the 2017 provincial semi-finals, giving up a league-low five goals in nine matches.
Fanshawe is led by reigning OCAA Female Athlete of the Year and all-time career scoring leader Jade Kovacevic (Acton, Ont.). The fifth-year forward scored a league-high 24 goals in nine matches during the regular season.
Niagara counters with a pair scorers who each scored seven goals during the regular season. Julieanne Buist (Canfield, Ont.) and Terin Hultink (Fenwick, Ont.) are both first-year midfielders.
Fanshawe, the West Division's top team, defeated Centennial 7-0 at home to secure its berth to the championship. Niagara was the only road team to win in the opening round of the playoffs, edging St. Lawrence 3-2 to secure its spot at provincials.
These two teams did meet in the regular season, with Fanshawe earning a 6-0 road victory on Sept. 27.
Sheridan (6-2-1, 3rd West) vs. Algonquin (8-1-0, 2nd East)
Wednesday, Oct. 23 - 12:30 p.m.
Sheridan is making its first provincial championship appearance since 2015. Its opponent is a team that is used to making the elite eight, with Algonquin winning three straight OCAA championships between 2015 and 2017.
Sheridan had an easier time advancing to this edition of provincials with a 3-0 home victory over George Brown. Algonquin needed an overtime goal by Tejumola Abubakar Bakare (Nigeria) to pull out a 1-0 win over St. Clair.
Algonquin fourth-year midfielder Becky Leese (Ottawa) was one of only five OCAA players to reach double figures in goals scored, netting 10 in nine matches.
Second-year striker Victoria Rodrigues (Mississauga) led Sheridan offensively averaging a gold per game during the regular season.
Redeemer (1-8-0, 9th West) vs. Seneca (9-0-0, 1st East)
Wednesday, Oct. 23 - 3 p.m.
Seneca remains the only OCAA team this season to win every match taking 10 straight, including a 5-0 win over Conestoga in the opening round of the playoffs.
The Sting are led by reigning OCAA Rookie of the Year Sona Makulova (Czech Republic) and her dozen regular season goals. Seneca gave up a league low five goals against, while scoring a league-high 49 times.
Seneca has lost the OCAA bronze medal match the last three seasons, as the Sting look to finish on the podium for the first time since taking silver in 2015.
Redeemer struggled throughout the regular season, earning a championship berth as host. The top scorer on the Royals is fourth-year midfielder Serena DeJong (Ancaster, Ont.) with three goals.
Durham (7-2-0, 3rd East) vs. Humber (6-1-2, 2nd West)
Wednesday, Oct. 23 - 5:30 p.m.
A Durham-Humber match up on the first day means one of these 2018 OCAA medalists will come up empty handed this year.
MacKenzie Barry's (Ajax, Ont.) goal was the difference for Durham in a 1-0 win over Mohawk to send the Lords to the championship. First-year striker Makayla Rudder (Scarborough, Ont.) was Durham's leading scorer in the regular season averaging a goal per game.
Humber overwhelmed Sault 13-0 to advance to the championship. Second-year midfielder Lily Campbell (Erin, Ont.) led the Hawks in scoring during the regular season with six.
Championship Website: www.ocaa.com/wsoc
Live Webcast: www.ocaa.com/ocaalive
Wednesday, October 23
Quarter-Finals
Game #1: Niagara vs. Fanshawe - 10 a.m.
Game #2: Sheridan vs. Algonquin - 12:30 p.m.
Game #3: Redeemer vs. Seneca - 3 p.m.
Game #4: Durham vs. Humber - 5:30 p.m.
Friday, October 25
Semi-Finals
Game #5: Winner Game #1 vs. Winner Game #2 - 12 p.m.
Game #6: Winner Game #3 vs. Winner Game #4 - 3 p.m.
Saturday, October 26
Bronze Medal Match
Game #7: Loser Game #5 vs. Loser Game #6 - 12 p.m.
Winning team presented OCAA Bronze Medal at conclusion of match
Gold Medal Match
Game #8: Winner Game #5 vs. Winner Game #6 - 3 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 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.
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Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com