LU soccer teams get the ball rolling at training camps

The Laurentian Lady Vees and Voyageurs soccer teams are in their last days leading up to the opening of training camp. The teams will start on Aug. 22 and have two weeks to pick the squad before their opening game on Sept. 5.

Both the men's and women's teams head into camp with high expectations looking to improve on their third place finishes in the OUA East a year ago, a press release stated.

“Training camp will be very competitive this year,” said Voyageurs head coach Carlo Castrechino, in a release. “All positions will be up for grabs. We have a good core of new players coming in.”

The Voyageurs have added two-time OUA all-star defender Dan Mazzuca, a transfer from Brock, as well as former OUA all-star Dan Kier of Hamilton, who returns to the line-up after missing 12 games a year ago. Reigning OUA East MVP Scott Cliff will be back between the pipes for the Voyageurs.

“Our season's goal is to improve on last year's third-place finish and secure a first-round bye in the playoffs,” added Castrechino.

For the Lady Vees, last year ended in heart-break as the team lost in the first round of the playoffs on penalty kicks to the Ravens.

The 2009 campaign has the team playing four games in eight days to start the year. They will open the season against the Ravens at home.

“We need to get back into the playoffs and get past the first round,” said head coach Rob Gallo. “We need to be blessed with fewer injuries to key players.

“We have to continue our hard work in each game and not take our solid regular season last year for granted.”

The Lady Vees and Voyageurs will get the ball rolling with training camp opening on Aug. 22. Their seasons kick off at home against the Carleton Ravens on Sept. 5. The women start at 12 p.m. while the men follow at 2:15 p.m. at the Laurentian Soccer Field.

Follow the Lady Vees and Voyageurs as they stride into the season at www.luvoyageurs.com.