Sports Oakville Beaver www.aplushomes.ca from 2 .4% ·Full MLS ·Full Service Call ADAM CAMPBELL Broker 905-844-4444 SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2007 31 Well put Sister act heading to Alabama Danielle, Justine Bernier ink NCAA soccer scholarships By Sean Durack SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER LETTING IT FLY: River Oaks Public School student Scott Kokotailo launches the shot during shot put competition at last week's Halton District School Board Wallace elementary track-andfield meet, held at Nelson High School in Burlington. For results of the Wallace meet, the third of five the board is holding this month, see page 32. DEREK WOOLLAM / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER The soccer sister act of Danielle and Justine Bernier will be taking its show to the University of Alabama in the fall. Both girls are products of the Oakville Soccer Club, attended St. Ignatius of Loyola High School -- where they both earned athletic honours -- and are passionate multisport athletes. It's only fitting that the siblings, who seem more like friends than sisters, continue their trend of doing things together. Eighteen-year-old Justine, who will toil as a goaltender with Toronto Lady Lynx United Soccer League's W-League and the Ontario Women's Soccer League St. Catherine's Jets until August, inked a full athletic scholarship and will begin her freshman year with the perennial soccer power with preseason training in August. Danielle former top freshman at Canisius Danielle, a 20-year-old sweeper who has already proven to be a fierce competitor in several other positions on the field, is taking a transfer to Alabama from Canisius College in Buffalo. In her freshman year, studying history and adolescent education a couple years ago, Danielle earned a rookie-of-the-year nod from the college. She played a key role with the Golden Griffins from the beginning as a two-year starter at sweeper. Both Justine and Danielle were recruited to take integral roles with the squad. The U.S. university is expecting big things from the Oakville girls. "In my opinion, Danielle is the last piece of the puzzle for the 2007 recruiting class," said Don Staley, the coach of the soccer program, after the signing earlier this year. "She brings a great deal of experience to the back line and I am expecting big things from her for the next two years." Justine suited by 15 D-1 schools Her sister is also well regarded by coaching staff at the school and was highly sought after. In fact, Justine, who also currently trains with the U18 national program and is among the younger members on the Lady Lynx roster where she won goaltender-of-the-year honours last year, said she entertained offers from 15 Division 1 schools before she made up her mind. "The decision to go there was made after visiting their amazing campus and getting a feel for what the next four years of my life would be like," she said. The team competes in the elite NCAA SEC conference with Auburn, University of Florida, University of Arkansas, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, Louisiana State University, Mississippi State, University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University and University of Mississippi. "The first time coach Staley saw me play was a couple of years ago in a showcase tour See Sisters page 34 OAKVILLE SOCCER CLUB GARAGE SALE (IN PATNERSHIP WITH OAKV GREEN CONSERVATION ASSO TORONTO FC vs BENFICA SATURDAY, MAY 26, 2007 (RAIN DAY, MAY 23, 2007 M KICK OFF MEMBER 9:30AM - 1:00PM OAKVILLE TOWN HALL 1225 TRAFALGAR ROAD EMBER SPORTATION) TORONTO FC VS. COLORADO RAPIDS DEVELOPMENTAL IDENTIFICATION WEEKEND BOYS/GIRLS U7/U8/U9 MAY 26 & 27, 2007 See Website for complete details. SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 2007 3:30PM KICK OFF $25 PER MEMBER (INCLUDING RETURN TRANSPORTATION) Oakville Soccer Club www.oakville-soccer.on.ca A Proud Sponsor of Oakville Soccer Club Sponsored by: