The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

36 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday October 6, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com WILD SUCCESS: Former Oakville Wild teammates Katy Hughes, Andrea Adamic and Kirsten Passmore (left to right) have rejoined forces with the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks. Several other Wild alumni have gone on to play soccer, or even other sports, at the university level this year. Timing better for move to Burlington, Little says Continued from page 35 Laurier soccer program goes Wild Wilfrid Laurier University's girls' soccer program turned a bit Wild this season. The Golden Hawks feature three former members of the Oakville Wild rep soccer team, as Katy Hughes, Andrea Adamic and Kirsten Passmore have remained teammates at Laurier. The local trio has helped the Golden Hawks to a 5-4-2 record so far this year, good for second place in the OUA's West Division. Hughes, Adamic and Passmore aren't the only former Wild players who have gone on to compete in soccer at the university level. Stephanie Krush is playing at a school in Tennessee, Amanda Belsito is in West Virginia, Katie Kanuka is in Pennsylvania, Megan Jones is at Canisius and Jessie Barrett is at Brock. Wild coach Mark Hughes said he and the team's original coach, Lawrence Franco, always focused on two main objectives each season. "The first was obviously to be as succesful as possible," he said. "The second, which was equally as important, was to ensure the girls had fun and found their soccer experience memorable and enjoyable." The first objective was certainly achieved as the Wild posted an overall mark of 59-13-15 during its five years together, winning the SRSL Elite title twice and reaching the finals of both the Ontario Cup and League Cup. Now, with the girls obtaining spots on their university teams, it seems that second goal was also attained. The Wild's philosophy of encouraging girls to play other rep sports also has paid off for a couple of its former players. Lindsay Franco is playing volleyball for Ryerson this year, while Effie Petrou is a member of York's field hockey squad. 10th Annual ATHENA Gala Dinner Wednesday, October 25, 2006 6:00 pm Champagne Reception 7:00 pm Dinner eral manager. He coached junior B for six years, starting as an assistant coach in the Buzz's first season, then became head coach with the Milton Mavericks for two years before rejoining the Buzz as head coach. He also coached minor lacrosse in Burlington for three years. Little's name had been mentioned before for the Chiefs job before but he was passed over. Now Little says the timing is perfect. "Burlington probably did me a favour," he said. "I've gotten strong, better, smarter in the last six years. I'll still have to learn the idiosyncrasies (of Jr. A), but I'm ready to learn." Rob MacDougall, a founder of the Buzz and the current vice-president and director of lacrosse operations with the Chiefs, approached Little during the junior B playoffs. Little said he would discuss the position after the Founder's Cup national championship tournament. Once the season ended, MacDougall again inquired about Little taking the Chiefs' job. Little, who moved to Burlington nine years ago from Maryland, said he is up to the task of resurrecting the Chiefs. The 53-year-old Rexdale native has already compiled a list of 60 players to invite to training camp and is coaching a winter league team where he'll continue to refine his list. "It's going to be a very competitive camp," he said. "There's nothing assured, whether you were there last season or not. There are no spots guaranteed." The Chiefs will also have the first pick in the junior A draft. Among the eligible players is local resident John Tavares, who has shown as much raw talent in lacrosse -- if not more -- than he has in hockey. The 16-yearold finished seventh in junior A scoring with 79 points in 19 games while playing with Mississauga this past season. Assistant coaches might also go Although a decision on coaches hasn't been finalized, Little said "I have made my recommendations." It's hard to believe those recommendations wouldn't include his Buzz staff, Shawn Cardy, Craig Hedley and Mark Baldini. After the Founder's Cup final, Little said, "They're really the coaches. I just come in and push a few buttons when I need to." Cardy and Hedley played minor lacrosse in Burlington, which would aid in Little's goal to give the team more of a connection to the city. Thenhaus said he's prepared for that scenario. "I've got the feeling they'll be going over," he said. "And if they do, I wish them all the best. As a junior B team, if we haven't prepared the entire organization, players and coaches, to move on to the next level, then we haven't done our job." -- Herb Garbutt can be reached at sports@oakvillebeaver.com. Susan Aglukark For All of ANNUAL SKI & Your SNOWBOARD Printing SWAP Needs MILTON HEIGHTS RACING CLUB Guest speaker Tickets: $75 NOVEMBER 3, 4 & 5 Fri 6-10, Sat 9-5, Sun 9-3 Location: Country Heritage Park (Gambrel Barn) off of Tremaine Rd., Milton ... just north of Glen Eden Includes Champagne Reception and Wine with Dinner To order tickets go to FREE ADMISSION & PARKING $1400 APPROXIMATE VALUE · Single Sheet · Tabloids · 1 Colour to Full Colour Process · Very Competitive Prices www.companyofwomen.ca where you can order online, email info@athenaoakville.ca or phone 905-467-7919 TER FOR BRING THIS AD IN & EN A GLEN YOUR CHANCE TO WIN PASS! NS ess EDEN FAMILY SEASO*No purchase necdetaary ils *See website for Amazing Deals on New & Used Equipment! Check out more details (including equipment drop off, directions & contest rules) Printing and Distribution Packages Available Call Marie Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre 2515 Wyecroft Road, Oakville (just south of the QEW at Bronte Road) at www.miltonheights.com or contact Paul Taylor at (905)845-3824 ext. 273 mgallagher@oakvillebeaver.com 905-301-3836 @