The Durham Lords women's soccer team brought home their first medal from the CCAA's national championships on November 10.
The Durham Lords women's soccer team capped off an exciting season, winning the bronze medal at the 2007 Big Kahuna/Adidas Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) Women's Soccer Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia on November 10.
The bronze medal game ended with the Lords topping Capilano College from Vancouver, British Columbia by a score of 5-1. The women's team made Durham College history by winning the school's first-ever national women's soccer championship medal.
"When the final whistle went in the bronze medal game our student-athletes celebrated in jubilation at centre field," said Durham College Athletic Director Ken Babcock. "It was quite a thrilling moment to witness."
The Capilano Blues took an early 1-0 advantage over the Lords. The Lords' goalkeeper, Ashley Visser, made some terrific saves to keep the Lords within one goal at halftime. The Lords came back in the second half as Jennifer Michalicka scored to tie the teams at one goal apiece.
Durham continued to challenge the Blues and took their first lead of the game when Amanda Durno scored to make it 2-1. Shortly after, Nikki Tuck, Brittany Micucci and Kirsten Bodashefsky all scored within six minutes of one another, allowing the Lords to close out the game.
"I am so proud of our coaching staff, the student-athletes and their commitment, hours of training and effort that goes into an accomplishment like this. It's the first national medal for our women's soccer program and a remarkable season," Babcock added. "The only game we lost all year was at the national championships to the eventual national champions from Quebec. What a great achievement for our college."
This medal is Ontario's second medal at the women's soccer national championship, with Humber College in Etobicoke, Ontario, winning bronze in 2000.
"All the players, as well as the coaching staff, ran to the centre of the field hugging and congratulating each other. It was an amazing picture seeing how much they wanted this medal," said Vaso Vujanovic, head coach for the team.
Three Lords were named CCAA championship all-stars: Kristen Bodashefsky, Amanda Durno and Katie Szeghalmi, who was also named the CCAA Women's Soccer Player of the Year. The Lords' 12-game regular season didn't allow a single goal from opposing teams.
"It is an amazing feeling and a great accomplishment that will be with me for many years," Vujanovic said. "We brought many medals to the college but this one is a very special one."