BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Laurentian University women's soccer team
head coach Rob Gallo is cooking up a winning formula using
hardy Sudbury ingredients.
 |
Last season, the women's team enjoyed a
fantastic and unexpected run to the Ontario University
Athletics (OUA) Final Four Championship.
With even greater expectations for the 2005
season, Gallo went shopping for new recruits in his own
backyard and came away with three solid gems.
Recently, Laurentian announced the signing of
Samantha Falcioni, Erica Duczeminski and Jenna Roach, all who
hail from Sudbury.
They join a feisty and hard working group of
six Sudbury-born players (Katie McNamara, Cara Smith, Melynda
Roach, Julia Boschetto, Erin Persi, Lauren Duhaime) already
carrying on the Voyageur tradition. A seventh, Sally Parent,
will miss this upcoming season due to surgery.
The three 2005 recruits represent a major
coup for Laurentian.
Â"We were fortunate to get these girls
because they all could have easily gone to the United States
and played NCAA soccer,Â" said Gallo. Â"Recruiting these girls
was an easy approach because they play in my backyard and
Sudbury's become a hot bed for girls' soccer. All three
of them will be in the Bachelor of Education program, so we
will have them for five years. That was the turning point for
getting them to commit here. Last season's success also
helped.Â"
All three bring many talents and desire to
the squad.
Â"All three come from winning club and high
school programs,Â" said Gallo. Â"Jenna is a premier striker in
the province. She can finish and has all the tools. Both Erica
and Samantha will dominate in the air because they have size.
Both have good vision and are aggressive and physical. They
will help us with defending and attacking, especially with
corner kicks.Â"
The latest recruiting class speaks volumes
about Sudbury soccer.
Â"It's a testament about the quality of
players coming out of Sudbury,Â" said Gallo. Â"If it came right
down to it, we could build a winner out of Sudbury players.
There's great coaching in Sudbury.Â"
Even going one step further, Gallo has
brought in former player and Sudbury native Cassidy Dediana as
an assistant coach, the first in the women's soccer program
at Laurentian, which has been running since 2000.
Â"Young women need aspiring female mentors,
and I think we have picked the right one,Â"said Gallo.
Â"Cassidy will ensure our girls will continue the hard work and
dedication.Â"
 |
Laurentian was well-known to Falcioni.
Â"My older cousin played for the Lady Vees
for four years and she had nothing but good things to say about
the team, coaching staff and program,Â" said Falcioni in a news
release.
Staying home was the best decision for
Duczeminski.
Â"I chose Laurentian because it's where I
think I will be the happiest,Â" said Duczeminski in a news
release. Â"Here, I have the support of my family and
friends.Â"
Roach is looking forward to her first season,
which will be a family affair.
Â"Laurentian...has a good soccer program and
I can play in my hometown with my sister (Melynda) and my
friends.Â"
Regardless of the hoopla created by signing
local recruits to already join a squad with a heavy Sudbury
flavour, the girls still have to bring their lunch pails to the
pitch for every game.
Â"No one will take us lightly now after last
season,Â" said Gallo. Â"We have unfinished business, but the
girls have to come back even more prepared, and ready to out
work teams.Â"
