OTTAWA (CIS) – An impressive list of contenders hope to succeed the Trinity Western Spartans as Canadian Interuniversity Sport women’s soccer champions this week in Charlottetown.
 
The 24th CIS tournament gets under way on Thursday at the University of Prince Edward Island and culminates on Sunday with the gold-medal final set for 1 p.m. Atlantic time. The CIS individual award winners and all-Canadian teams will be announced prior to the event, on Wednesday evening.
 
All 11 games from the eight-team, single-elimination competition will be webcast by SSN Canada (www.ssncanada.ca). 
 
New champions will be crowned this weekend as the Spartans, who captured the CIS banner in both 2009 and 2008, were eliminated in the semifinal round at the Canada West Final Four.
 
The eight squads in the running for this year’s Gladys Bean memorial trophy are the tournament host and AUS finalist UPEI Panthers, the Cape Breton Capers (AUS), Montreal Carabins (RSEQ), Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (OUA) and Fraser Valley Cascades (Canada West), all conference champions, as well as the Laval Rouge et Or (RSEQ), Queen’s Gaels (OUA) and UBC Thunderbirds (Canada West), all regional finalists.  
 
Cape Breton and Queen’s kick off the championship Thursday at 10 a.m. Atlantic. The other quarter-finals will see Fraser Valley square off against Laval at 1 p.m., Laurier battle UBC at 4 p.m., and Montreal face off versus host UPEI at 7:30 p.m.
 
The winners on opening day move on to Saturday’s semifinals, while the losers resume play Friday on the consolation side of the bracket.
 
While all participants are legitimate contenders, none is hungrier than the Quebec champion Carabins, who can still feel the bitter taste of a penalty kicks loss to Trinity Western in last November’s national final.
 
Despite the loss of former Canadian national team midfielder Véronique Maranda and fellow all-Canadian Émilie Mercier from its 2009 roster, Montreal has been on a mission all season, finishing first in Quebec with a sparkling 10-1-3 record before capturing a third straight RSEQ title thanks to a 2-0 win over Laval in the league championship match.
 
The Carabins would like nothing more than to add gold to their CIS medal collection, which would be a natural progression after a third-place finish in 2008 and their first-ever CIS final a year ago. They also hope to become the first team from Quebec to hoist the Gladys Bean trophy.
 
“We’re on the right path,” said head coach Kevin McConnell, whose troops head into the CIS tourney on a 14-game undefeated streak. “We have momentum on our side and we’ve had a great season, but winning a national title remains our priority.”
 
Also returning from the 2009 CIS championship are UBC, Queen’s and UPEI, who finished third, fourth and sixth, respectively, in Toronto.
 
While they lost the Canada West final 2-0 to Fraser Valley, the Thunderbirds have history on their side. UBC has medalled at each of its previous 11 appearances at Nationals including a CIS-record five gold, plus two silver and four bronze.
 
The Gaels, who were ranked No. 1 in the final national coaches’ poll on Nov. 2 following a 14-2-0 regular season, are looking for their second CIS title and their first since 1988.
 
The Panthers, who were undefeated in 2010 before losing 1-0 to Cape Breton in the AUS title game, are still looking for an elusive first CIS banner.
 
“It was disappointing to lose after the season we had but we need to regroup and get ready for this weekend,” said AUS coach of the year Mike Redmond. “We played well (in the final). It was the way a final should be - back and forth.”
 
Like fellow conference champion Montreal, Cape Breton, Laurier and Fraser Valley all head into the final weekend of the campaign with momentum.
 
The Capers, who claimed their lone national title on home turf in 2007, are 10-0-2 in their last 12 games, following an uncharacteristic 1-3 start to the season.
 
“We had a lot of holes to fill after last year”, said head coach Ness Timmons. “We have twelve first and second-year players and had a plan for the season, hoping to peak at this time.”
 
The Golden Hawks, CIS champions in 1995 and 1992, are unbeaten in their last eight games and kept a 14-1-2 overall mark in the OUA this fall.
 
“It’s always great to win a championship. I thought we were fantastic in every aspect of the game. Tactically we were very sound,” said head coach Barry MacLean after the 1-0 win over Queen’s in the OUA final. “We are pretty confident going into Nationals. We’ve performed well all season and Queen’s was the number one team in the country, so to come out and beat them was a great achievement.”
 
The Cascades have surprised many experts by coming out on top in the ultra-competitive the Canada West conference and advancing to the national tourney in only their fifth CIS season. Before defeating UBC in the conference final, Fraser Valley eliminated two-time defending CIS champion Trinity Western with a dramatic 3-2 semifinal victory on penalty kicks.
 
“Wow! It was a tough battle. TWU is an excellent team, loaded with talent and dangerous in so many ways,” said rookie head coach Rob Giesbrecht, following the win that clinched its team’s first CIS championship appearance. “We are proud to be heading to the national tournament. The girls have worked so hard.”
 
Finally, RSEQ finalist Laval, like archrival Montreal, hopes to become the first school from Quebec to capture the Gladys Bean trophy. The Rouge et Or, who were the only team to beat the Carabins this season, are making their first appearance at the tourney since a fifth-place finish in 2007 and had their best result at Nationals in 2003, when they claimed bronze.
 
TEAM PROFILES
 
 Cape Breton Capers (AUS champions)

Media Guide (PDF 1.66 MB)
 
Head Coach: Stephen “Ness” Timmons (15th season)
Regular season record: 8-3-2
Regular season standing: 3rd AUS
Playoff record: 3-0
Playoff finish: AUS champions
Final Top 10 ranking (Nov. 2): Unranked
Best Top 10 ranking (10 weeks): Unranked all season
Number of weeks in Top 10 (10 weeks): 0
Conference award winners: Jessica Furtado (rookie of the year)
Conference 1st team all-stars: Katherine Mills (D), Robbyn McNeill (M)
Conference 2nd team all-stars: Kyla Cunningham (D), Jessica Furtado (M)
CIS championship appearances (including 2010): 6
CIS championship all-time record: 3-8-0 (.273)
CIS championship all-time medals: 1 (gold)
CIS championship best result: 1-time champions (2007)
CIS championship last appearance: 2008 (7th place)
CIS championship sequence: 1st appearance since 2008 (6th in 8 years)

 
Montreal Carabins (RSEQ champions)

Media Guide (PDF 1.02 MB)
 
Head Coach: Kevin McConnell (6th season)
Regular season record: 10-1-3
Regular season standing: 1st RSEQ
Playoff record: 2-0
Playoff finish: RSEQ champions
Final Top 10 ranking (Nov. 2): No. 2
Best Top 10 ranking (10 weeks): No. 2 (5 weeks: polls 1, 2, 3, 9, 10)
Number of weeks in Top 10 (10 weeks): 10
Conference award winners: Véronique Laverdière (MVP)
Conference 1st team all-stars: Valérie Labelle (D), Éva Thouvenot (M), Véronique Laverdière (S)
Conference 2nd team all-stars: Sarah Thérien (G), Virginie Lévesque (D), Marylise Monchalin (M)
CIS championship appearances (including 2010): 5 (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2004)
CIS championship all-time record: 6-6-0 (.500)
CIS championship all-time medals: 2 (1 silver, 1 bronze)
CIS championship best result: 1-time finalists (2009)
CIS championship last appearance: 2009 (finalists)
CIS championship sequence: 4th straight appearance (5th in 7 years)
 
Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (OUA champions)

Media Guide (Click here)
 
Head Coach: Barry MacLean (15th season)
Regular season record: 11-1-2
Regular season standing: 1st OUA West
Playoff record: 3-0
Playoff finish: OUA champions
Final Top 10 ranking (Nov. 2): No. 5
Best Top 10 ranking (10 weeks): No. 3 (2 weeks: 4th and 5th polls)
Number of weeks in Top 10 (10 weeks): 8
Conference award winners (OUA West): Tania Pedron (MVP), Kelsey Tikka (rookie of the year)
Conference 1st team all-stars (OUA West): Tania Pedron (M), Alyssa Lagonia (M), Heather Malizia (M), Ali McKee (S)
Conference 2nd team all-stars (OUA West): Kelsey Tikka (D), Sadie Anderson (M)
CIS championship appearances (including 2010): 9
CIS championship all-time record: 12-8-0 (.600)
CIS championship all-time medals: 4 (2 gold, 2 bronze)
CIS championship best result: 2-time champions (1995, 1992)
CIS championship last appearance: 2008 (5th place)
CIS championship sequence: 2nd appearance in 3 years
 
Fraser Valley Cascades (Canada West champions)

Media Guide (PDF 10 MB)
 
Head Coach: Rob Giesbrecht (1st season)
Regular season record: 8-5-1
Regular season standing: 3rd Canada West
Playoff record: 2-0
Playoff finish: Canada West champions
Final Top 10 ranking (Nov. 2): Unranked
Best Top 10 ranking (10 weeks): Unranked all season
Number of weeks in Top 10 (10 weeks): 0
Conference award winners: None
Conference 1st team all-stars: None
Conference 2nd team all-stars: Lyndsay Munro (D)
CIS championship appearances (including 2010): 1
CIS championship all-time record: 0-0-0
CIS championship all-time medals: 0
CIS championship best result: 1st appearance in history (joined CIS in 2006)
CIS championship last appearance: 1st appearance in history (joined CIS in 2006)
CIS championship sequence: 1st appearance in history (joined CIS in 2006)
 
UPEI Panthers (AUS finalists)

Media Guide (PDF 1.72 MB)
 
Head Coach: Mike Redmond (7th season)
Regular season record: 10-0-3
Regular season standing: 1st AUS
Playoff record: 1-1
Playoff finish: AUS finalists
Final Top 10 ranking (Nov. 2): No. 7
Best Top 10 ranking (10 weeks): No. 7 (1 week: final poll)
Number of weeks in Top 10 (10 weeks): 9
Conference award winners: Tessa Roche (MVP), Mike Redmond (coach of the year)
Conference 1st team all-stars: Chanelle Roy (G), Sara Stewart (D), Tessa Roche (S)
Conference 2nd team all-stars: Andrea Archibald (M), Chelsie McInnis (S)
CIS championship appearances (including 2010): 3 (2010, 2009, 2004) 
CIS championship all-time record: 1-3-1 (.300)
CIS championship all-time medals: 0
CIS championship best result: Tied 5th place (2004)
CIS championship last appearance: 2009 (6th place)
CIS championship sequence: 2nd straight appearance (3rd in 7 years)
 
Laval Rouge et Or (RSEQ finalists)

Media Guide (PDF 1.21 MB)
 
Head Coach: Helder Duarte (16th season)
Regular season record: 8-2-4
Regular season standing: 3rd RSEQ
Playoff record: 1-1
Playoff finish: RSEQ finalists
Final Top 10 ranking (Nov. 2): Unranked
Best Top 10 ranking (10 weeks): No. 8 (1 week: 4th poll)
Number of weeks in Top 10 (10 weeks): 4
Conference award winners: Mélissande Guy (rookie of the year)
Conference 1st team all-stars: Marie-Claude Villeneuve (D), Caroline Collin (S)
Conference 2nd team all-stars: Pascale Bergeron (D), Mélissande Guy (S)
CIS championship appearances (including 2010): 6 (2010, 2007, 2003, 2002, 1997, 1996)
CIS championship all-time record: 5-6-3 (.464)
CIS championship all-time medals: 1 (bronze)
CIS championship best result: 1-time bronze medallists (2002)
CIS championship last appearance: 2007 (5th place)
CIS championship sequence: 1st appearance since 2007
 
Queen’s Gaels (OUA finalists)

Media Guide (PDF 4.12 MB)
 
Head Coach: Dave McDowell (23rd season)
Regular season record: 14-2-0
Regular season standing: 1st OUA East
Playoff record: 2-1
Playoff finish: OUA finalists
Final Top 10 ranking (Nov. 2): No. 1
Best Top 10 ranking (10 weeks): No. 1 (1 week: final poll)
Number of weeks in Top 10 (10 weeks): 10
Conference award winners (OUA East): Jacqueline Tessier (MVP), Dave McDowell (coach of the year)
Conference 1st team all-stars (OUA East): Brienna Shaw (D), Jennifer Hutchinson (M), Jacqueline Tessier (S), Kelli Chamberlain (S)
Conference 2nd team all-stars (OUA East): Mikyla Kay (D)
CIS championship appearances (including 2010): 11
CIS championship all-time record: 8-12-4 (.417)
CIS championship all-time medals: 3 (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze)
CIS championship best result: 1-time champions (1988)
CIS championship last appearance: 2009 (4th place)
CIS championship sequence: 2nd straight appearance (8th in 11 years)
 
UBC Thunderbirds (Canada West finalists)

Media Guide (PDF 4.15 MB)
 
Head Coach: Mark Rogers (1st season)
Regular season record: 8-5-1
Regular season standing: 4th Canada West
Playoff record: 1-1
Playoff finish: Canada West finalists
Final Top 10 ranking (Nov. 2): No. 10
Best Top 10 ranking (10 weeks): No. 3 (2 weeks: first 2 polls)
Number of weeks in Top 10 (10 weeks): 10
Conference award winners: None
Conference 1st team all-stars: Jessika Briker (D), Lisa Furutani (M)
Conference 2nd team all-stars: Kelly Cook (D), Natalie Hirayama (M), Janine Frazao (S)
CIS championship appearances (including 2010): 12
CIS championship all-time record: 25-6-0 (.806)
CIS championship all-time medals: 11 (5 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze)
CIS championship best result: CIS record 5-time champions (2006, 2003, 2002, 1993, 1987)
CIS championship last appearance: 2007 (bronze medallists)
CIS championship sequence: 2nd straight appearance (4th in 5 years)
 
GLADYS BEAN MEMORIAL TROPHY CHAMPIONS
 
2009 Trinity Western (at Toronto)
2008 Trinity Western (at Trinity Western)
2007 Cape Breton (at Cape Breton)
2006 UBC (at Victoria)
2005 Victoria (at Alberta)
2004 Trinity Western (at Montreal / McGill)
2003 UBC (at Montreal / McGill)
2002 UBC (at Alberta)
2001 Alberta (at Carleton)
2000 Dalhousie (at Acadia)
1999 Dalhousie           (at Laurier)
1998 Calgary (at Victoria)
1997 Alberta (at Laval)
1996 Ottawa (at Dalhousie)
1995 Laurier (at Carleton)
1994 Dalhousie (at Alberta)
1993 UBC (at McGill)
1992 Laurier (at McMaster)
1991 McMaster (at Guelph)
1990 Acadia (at UBC)
1989 Alberta (at Acadia)
1988 Queen's (at UBC)
1987 UBC (at McGill)                        
 
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE (All times LOCAL: Atlantic Time)

Wednesday, Nov. 10
18:00 All-Canadian Awards Banquet

Thursday, Nov. 11
10:00 Quarter-final 1: Cape Breton vs. Queen’s (SSN Canada webcast)
13:00 Quarter-final 2: Fraser Valley vs. Laval (SSN Canada webcast)
16:00 Quarter-final 3: Wilfrid Laurier vs. UBC (SSN Canada webcast)
19:30 Quarter-final 4: Montreal vs. UPEI (SSN Canada webcast)

Friday, Nov. 12
13:00 Consolation 1: Loser QF 1 vs. Loser QF 2 (SSN Canada webcast)
16:00 Consolation 2: Loser QF 3 vs. Loser QF 4 (SSN Canada webcast)

Saturday, Nov. 13
13:00 Semifinal 1: Winner QF 1 vs. Winner QF 2 (SSN Canada webcast)
16:00 Semifinal 2: Winner QF 3 vs. Winner QF 4 (SSN Canada webcast)
19:00 Consolation final (SSN Canada webcast)

Sunday, Nov. 14
10:00 Bronze medal (SSN Canada webcast)
13:00 Championship final (SSN Canada webcast)
 
 
-CIS-