Recently at the OUA women's soccer final four banquet, the OUA announced its all-star award winners for the 2006-07 season, with three Lady Vees being among the list of award winners. Cara Smith and Erica Duczeminski both took home OUA East first-team all-star awards, while goalkeeper Meghan Hoffberg was named an OUA East second-team all-star award winner.
Hoffberg second-team all-star award comes as no surprise to the
Laurentian soccer community as she is an extremely talented
goalkeeper who controls the box with authority. She is a great
shot blocker and loves to challenge shooters.
The native of Brampton doesn't show any fear and routinely dives into opponents' feet to get the ball. She also is excellent in the air taking away crossed balls with confidence. Hoffberg is cementing herself as one of the elite goalkeepers in the OUA.
"Meghan has worked extremely hard she commands the box and is
an excellent shot stopper, she keeps us in all our games...She
is evolving into one of the best in the CIS," said head coach
Rob Gallo in a news release.
Smith has earned a reputation for being a tenacious defender
with great field vision and excellent one-on-one and dribbling
skills. The native of Sudbury plays with extreme confidence and
patience while given the task of covering the top strikers in
the league. Smith is also known for tackling with authority and
as one of the best two-way defenders in the league.  The
third year radiation therapy major played in all 90 minutes in
each of the 15 games she has played in this season. This is the
third straight season Smith has earned a league honour and her
second first-team award.
"(Cara) is among the elite defenders in the OUA," said Gallo.
"She defends and attacks and constantly pressures the
opposition...she has proven this in each and every game with
consistency."
At five-foot-11, Duczeminski is extremely difficult to beat and
has not only been a defensive force but plays an attacking role
as an attacking central defender.  She is involved in all
set pieces and led all defenders in the OUA with eight goals
and four assists in 16 games. She reads the game well, has
excellent field vision and the ability to deliver short and
long balls with accuracy.  She plays like a seasoned
veteran, dominating her position with her physical presence and
is an emerging leader on the Laurentian Lady Vees team. This is
the second year in a row that Duczeminski was named a
first-team all-star.
"Erica plays like a fourth year player," said Gallo. "She is a
great defensive and offensive player and commands the middle of
the park."
The OUA also recently announced its men's soccer all-stars and
among the list of award winners were two veteran Voyageurs.
Tony Tagliafierro and Dan Keir were both named OUA East
second-team all-stars, while Keir also garnered the
student-athlete community service award for the OUA East
division.
Tagliafierro completed his third season with the Voyageurs
soccer team this past fall and was an impact player for the
blue and gold at the sweeper position. The native of Sudbury,
Ontario led the Voyageurs in scoring with four goals, two of
which coming on game winning penalty kicks. He has cemented
himself as an elite player in the OUA with his strong play at
the back and directing the play. The third year economics major
has become one of the team's most dangerous players on any set
piece.
Keir also finished his third season with the Voyageurs soccer
team this past fall and due to a large group of graduating
players has stepped into fill some big shoes. The native of
Hamilton was second in scoring for the blue and gold with three
goals in 16 games. Keir has also become known for his excellent
two- way player at the midfield position and is quickly
solidifying himself as an offensive threat for the Voyageurs.
He has also provided this young Voyageurs team with excellent
leadership on and off the field.
On top of the OUA East second-team all-star award Keir was
named the recipient of the student-athlete community service
award for the OUA East division. Keir is very active in both
the Hamilton and Sudbury communities. In the summer he is a
regular at the soccer pitch officiating youth games and
teaching at youth clinics. During the school year, the
third-year kinesiology student finds time to teach at soccer
clinics in Sudbury.
