ALGONQUIN THREE-PEATS AS OCAA WOMEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONS

SUDBURY, Ont. - Their reputation already well established thanks to back to back OCAA women's soccer championships, the Algonquin Thunder padded their resume this week in Sudbury, Ont. The Ottawa powerhouse completed the three-peat late Saturday afternoon, edging the Humber Hawks 2-1 in the gold medal game of the 2017 belairdirect OCAA Women's Soccer Championship.

A tight defensive battle produced just one goal in the opening half, with Algonquin's Hailey Martin burying her strike in the 22nd minute. The Thunder doubled their advantage in the 70th minute courtesy of a free kick from Mallory McQueen, with Humber drawing to within one some seven minutes later thanks to a goal from Danielle Canhoto.

In the end, the team which produced a whopping goals differential of 62-2 in regular season play was equally as impressive in post-season play, following up a 6-0 whitewash of the Mohawk Mountaineers with a 2-1 victory over the Seneca Sting, capping things off against Humber for a second consecutive year.

PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Algonquin Thunder - Jenna Robinson
Humber Hawks - Rachel Spratt

In the bronze medal game, a pair of goals by Fanshawe's Chelsea Zavitz in the 71st and 75th minutes spoiled the surprising provincial surge of the Seneca squad, as the Falcons edged the Sting 2-1.

A scoreless affair through the opening 45 minutes, despite some quality chances, the contest opened up substantially following an ice-breaking marker from Francesca Pedulla of Seneca in the 56th minute.

A first half shot off the post and a missed penalty kick in the second half proved costly as Fanshawe medalled for the first time since capturing silver in 2012.
 
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Seneca Sting - Bianca Granata
Fanshawe Falcons - Alexis Clements

The Mohawk Mountaineers and St Clair Saints set the tone for an outstanding day of soccer in Northern Ontario, matching up in a well-marked defensive battle that produced few great chances.

In fact, it would take a nifty one-on-one move and well located shot to the corner by St Clair's Julia Albeartie and a shutout performance from popular game MVP choice Andie Albert to lift the Saints to a 1-0 win over Mohawk in the consolation final.

PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Mohawk Mountaineers - Keigan Curran
St. Clair Saints - Andie Albert

The remaining individual tournament hardware was doled out to:

CHAMPIONSHIP MVP
Hailey Martin - Algonquin

CHAMPIONSHIP ALL-STARS
Melissa Gilligan - Algonquin
Alexandra Giovanni - Humber
Claudia Piazza - Humber
Chelsea Zavitz - Fanshawe

Championship Website: www.ocaa.com/championships/wsoc/2017-18/index

Live Webcast: livestream.com/cambriangoldenshield

Championship Schedule
Thursday, October 26
Quarter-Finals
Game #1: Humber 1, St. Clair 0
Game #2: Fanshawe 2, Durham 0
Game #3: Algonquin 6, Mohawk 0
Game #4: Seneca 2 Cambrian 1

Friday, October 27
Consolation Round
Game #5: St. Clair 4, Durham 2
Game #6: Mohawk 2, Cambrian 0
Semi-Finals
Game #7: Humber 2, Fanshawe 0
Game #8: Algonquin 2, Seneca 1

Saturday, October 28
Consolation Final
Game #9: St. Clair 1, Mohawk 0
Bronze Medal Match
Game #10: Fanshawe 2, Seneca 1
Gold Medal Match
Game #11: Algonquin 2, Humber 1

Source: Randy Pascal/Cambrian College