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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, November 13, 2009 · 40 IR grad leading soccer team to new heights By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR AWARD WINNERS: Ian McConnachie (left) and Arthur O'Sullivan were two of the people recognized at the Oakville Soccer Club's annual Volunteer Recognition Reception last week at Town Hall. McConnachie was named top sportsperson and O'Sullivan was named top volunteer. NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER Women's soccer hasn't been a big deal in the past at the University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College, but Leah Russell and her Scorpions are doing their best to change that. Thanks in large part to a remarkable freshman season by the 18-year-old Oakville native, the Scorpions are preparing to make their firstever appearance in the NAIA National Tournament. UTB/TSC earned its spot in the national tournament last weekend with a 1-0 victory over Our Lady of the Lake University, locking up the Red River Athletic Conference title. The Scorpions will make their NAIA tournament debut Nov. 21. "It's an amazing accomplishment because the Leah Russell soccer program is three years old at our school and this is the first year the women's team has made it this far," said Russell. Despite being one of the youngest players on the team, Russell might also have been the most important. The Iroquois Ridge grad has scored nearly a third of the Scorpions' goals this season, leading the team with 15 goals in 16 contests. She's recorded three hat tricks and earned Red River conference player-ofthe-week honours twice. The kinesiology student, who wasn't even sure she would see significant playing time in her freshman year, attributes her success to the hard work she put in during the preseason. "My team coming together and pushing me through everything game me more confidence to settle in and play the way I knew how to at home," she added. "I think I was already ready to take on the competition of collegiate athletics because I gained experience at home with my club team (the Erin Mills Eagles) before I came to school." Russell said the success of her team, along with the school's mens' squad, has the UTB/TSC campus a bit more excited about soccer. "The female soccer isn't as big down here as it is in Oakville, that's for sure," she said. "We continue to get more recognition every day. It is great to know that my team is helping our soccer program grow and we are starting to make a difference." Oakville Soccer Club recognizes its best The Oakville Soccer Club feted its outstanding volunteers, coaches, teams and players from the past season last week with its annual Volunteer Appreciation Reception at Town Hall. Accolades handed out included top sportsperson, top volunteer and young volunteer, top coach and top player awards, top teams and top referees. Ian McConnachie received the President's Award as the club's sportsperson of the year. McConnachie has been involved with the OSC as a coach, convener and player for several years. McConnachie is convening two separate age groups for the club this fall and winter indoor season. The Joe Hinnen Award, presented to the volunteer of the year, was presented to Arthur O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan's volunteer duties have included being a rep manager and assistant coach, an adult convener and sitting on the club's discipline committee. Pascale Rocca was named the 9 LOCATIONS TO SERVE Canadian Mixed Curling Championship C O G E C O C A B L E Available Exclusively On club's top young volunteer. Rocca has dedicated many hours to the club, assisting with the coaches' kickoff, tournaments and other seasonal events. Phil Ionadi and Lawrence Franco were named the club's top rep coaches. Ionadi, a former semi-professional player, has been head coach of the 1992 age division boys' team since 2006 and has led the squad to an OYSL title, an Ontario-Quebec championship and an appearance in the Ontario Cup finals. He will be one of the boys' junior academy directors in 2010. Franco, who has coached girls' soccer since 2004, took over the under-12 girls' A team this season. He led them to the SRSL Elite Division title and an Ontario Cup championship, and will be head coach of the girls' U13 A junior academy team next year. Darrin McLeod and Jade Kovacevic were selected as the club's top youth players. McLeod, a keeper on the under-15 boys' A team, had 10 shutouts in 16 games to lead his YOU BETTER! (cable channel 23) Saturday Nov. 14, 8:00 p.m. ......... Ontario vs Manitoba Sunday, Nov. 15, 8:00 p.m. .......... Yukon/NWT vs Quebec Monday, Nov. 16, 8:00 p.m. ......... PEI vs Ontario Tuesday, Nov. 17, 8:00 p.m. ......... BC vs Saskatchewan Wednesday, Nov. 18, 8:00 p.m. .... 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Kovacevic was a key player on the under-15 girls' A team, respected for her leadership abilities and positive attitude as much as her skill and athleticism. The club recognized the girls' U12 A, boys' U15 A and men's under-21 squads for their excellent seasons. All three won Ontario Cup titles in 2009. Long-time coach Phil Iafrati received the club's Recognition Award. Over the 35-plus years he's coached, Iafrati has led his teams to 19 championships at Canadian tournaments, two American tournament titles, seven league championships, five League Cup crowns, three Ontario Cup wins and a national championship. Six players he has coached have gone on to represent Canada. House league coach-of-the-year awards went to Steve Sacha (U4 Timbit), Paul Turner (U5 Timbit), Michael Fernandez (U6 boys), Ryan Chelak (U6 girls), Blair Ceolin (U7 boys), Collette Pryce-Jones (U7 girls), Steve Fletcher (U8 boys), Mike Ellerbeck (U8 girls), Andrew Sokacz (U9 boys), Vince D'Amico (U9 girls), Mike Salveta (U10 boys), Frank D'Attoma (U10 girls), Peter Reid (U11 boys), Eddie Estrela (U11 girls), Kenne Dempster (U12 boys), Alan Laver (U12 girls), George Que (U13 boys), David White (U13 girls), Neil Hanna (U14 boys), Ray Donaldson (U14 girls), Ryan Quinless (U15/16 boys), Lance White (U15/16 girls), Mario Peluso (U17/18 boys), Ed Apap (U17/18 girls), Chris Jewell (U13 girls), Tom Svoboda (men's open), Rob Deluca (ladies' open), George Kinney (men's 35-plus) and Ross Gordon (ladies' 35-plus). Alex Dodds, Melissa Skippen, Barry Robertson, Lauren Boyd, Neil Simpson and Richard Kuchta received referee recognition awards.