FANSHAWE'S KOVACEVIC NAMED OCAA FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

TORONTO - The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) proudly recognizes Fanshawe College women's soccer student-athlete Jade Kovacevic (Acton) as its 2018-19 OCAA Female Athlete of the Year.

The 2018 OCAA Scoring Champion established a new regular season women's soccer record with 30 goals over 10 matches, including nine on Sept. 8 against Lambton to set a new single match record. Kovacevic scored 79 goals over her three-season OCAA career, four shy of the record of 83 held by Tiffany Johnson of Cambrian.

Kovacevic and her Fanshawe teammates easily won the OCAA West Division championship with an unblemished 10-0 record. She was named 2018 OCAA Women's Soccer Player of the Year, a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) All-Canadian and an OCAA West Division All-Star for her exploits.

The Falcons continued their winning ways at the OCAA championship. Kovacevic scored both goals in Fanshawe's 2-0 win over defending champion Algonquin in the quarter-finals. She then scored the opening goal in a 3-2 win over Humber in the OCAA gold medal match, helping claim Fanshawe's first provincial title in nine seasons. Kovacevic was named OCAA Championship MVP for her efforts.

Kovacevic was recognized as the CCAA 2018 Women's Soccer Player of the Year prior to nationals in Coquitlam, B.C. The Falcons went 3-1 at the competition to win the CCAA bronze medal, Fanshawe's first in women's soccer since earning silver in 2009. Kovacevic scored seven goals at the competition, and was named a CCAA Championship All-Star.

"Jade is a generational talent who led our women's soccer program this season by displaying tremendous character, commitment and drive," praised Fanshawe Manager of Athletics Nathan McFadden. "She is an exceptionally skilled student-athlete and outstanding person who was the best in the CCAA in her sport. She had a dominant season individually while leading her team to a provincial championship and the national podium."

Kovacevic becomes the first student-athlete from Fanshawe to be awarded OCAA Female Athlete of the Year, and the sixth women's soccer athlete in the history of the award dating back to 1997.

Kovacevic will be recognized for her remarkable season at the ninth biennial OCAA Hall of Fame ceremony, to be held at the Holiday Inn Toronto International Airport in Toronto on Wednesday, May 8.

The OCAA announce Mohawk's Kyle Rooke its 2018-19 OCAA Male Athlete of the Year on Tuesday.

PREVIOUS OCAA FEMALE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
2017-18: Ceejay Nofuente, Humber (Basketball)
2016-17: Ceejay Nofuente, Humber (Basketball)
2015-16: Ceejay Nofuente, Humber (Basketball)
2014-15: Thalia Hanniman, Humber (Volleyball)
2013-14: Kelly Nyhof, Humber (Volleyball)
2012-13: Tracy Wong, Humber (Badminton)
2011-12: Vicky Siemon, Humber (Cross Country)
2010-11: Landis Doyle, Humber (Volleyball)
2009-10: Renee Yip, Humber (Badminton)
2008-09: Ashley Docking, Seneca (Soccer, Basketball)
2007-08: Katie Szeghalmi, Durham (Soccer)
2006-07: Megan Stacey, Nipissing (Volleyball)
2005-06: Natasha Thombs, Seneca (Basketball)
2004-05: Lisa Martin, Cambrian (Soccer, Volleyball)
2003-04: Erin Smith, Durham (Fastball, Volleyball)
2002-03: Stacey Michaels, Cambrian (Badminton)
2001-02: Joanna Vitale, Humber (Soccer, Indoor Soccer)
2000-01: Anita Kralt, Redeemer (Basketball, Soccer, Indoor Soccer)
1999-2000: Gabe Roy and Melanie Finley, Cambrian (Badminton)
1998-99: Sue Mileva, Seneca (Badminton)
1997-98: Joanna Van Dyke, Durham (Fastball, Volleyball)
1996-97: Marcy Skribe, Durham (Basketball)

- 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
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com