BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
The 2005-06 Laurentian University womens'
soccer team is looking to build off last year's remarkable run
to the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Final Four.
With punishing defence, the Lady Vees sparked
a major buzz throughout the city last year with its inspired
and tough play and, at times, near perfect goaltending.
The Lady Vees are hoping for similar results
this season, but it will not be easy.
"We don't have anything to prove to anyone,"
said head coach Rob Gallo. "We believe we have a competitive
team which will battle for a playoff spot. We have improved
this season, but so has our entire division and I will not be
surprised if the playoff spots are not decided until the last
game of the season."
The Lady Vees have had a modest start to its
2005-06 campaign losing their first game and tying their second
game.
The Lady Vees is young, but hungry.
"This team is young as we had eight rookies
make the team and five have received regular playing time,"
said Gallo. "We have improved our scoring ability with the
addition of Krista Pantin and Jenna Roach. We also have an
excellent attacking midfielder in Michelle Sousa."
The defence should again be the foundation of
the team, led by a pair of rugged defenders.
"Cara Smith and Melynda Roach, in my opinion
are the two best full backs in the OUA," said Gallo. "They're
tough, solid and tenacious. Both are excellent one-on-one
defenders. The experienced they gained playing in the United
Soccer League against some of the best players in the world has
only made them better."
The team also returns their two staunch
goalies, Julia Boschetto and Katie McNamara, both of whom were
awesome last year. The goalies combined for seven straight shut
outs to start the 2004 season, and only allowed five goals in
10 games.
Another outstanding year from the tandem will
go a long way towards another successful season.
The Lady Vees are chock-full of local talent
for Sudbury fans to cheer about, including Boschetto, McNamara,
the Roach sisters, Smith, Samantha Falcioni, Lauren Duhaime and
Erica Duczeminski.
Gallo is confident that some firepower added
over the summer will also help the squad.
"I think the addition of some offence will
allow us to win some close games," said Gallo. "However, we
cannot afford to continue to have loose defending in the
18-yard box. It has cost us with four goals against already in
two games. Last season, we only allowed five goals in 10
games."
The Lady Vees are back in action this
weekend, when they square off against their Northern Ontario
rival Nipissing University on Saturday, Sept. 17. Game time at
Laurentian is 12 noon.
"The Nipissing game is very important as it
is a divisional game which can either keep us in contention or
put us in a lot of difficulty looking up from the bottom of the
pack," said Gallo. "It's only a 10-game season and anyone can
go on a run and get to the final four. We proved it last year,
but now...we're concerned with getting our first win and some
momentum."