From underdog to dominance How the UOIT women’s soccer team evolved from rookies to OUA champions and national medalists in five short years

By Joel Wittnebel The Oshawa Express

Take us to the days where we’re no longer underdogs in the OUA. Where we’re a threat in every game we play.

The above lines are borrowed from a song created by the UOIT women’s soccer team five years ago. Thinking of the team singing the full rendition, created when they were only 10 days old, still gives head coach Peyvand Mossavat goosebumps when he thinks about it. It was like a prophecy – one that came true this season. “I couldn’t comprehend it in the moment, I didn’t even know what to do. I was shellshocked,” says Ridgebacks captain Kylie Bordeleau Photo by Allan Fournier See RIDGEBACKS Page 21

Gens top Durham bidding Bulldogs to hold for ParaSport down first place The Oshawa Generals added more points to their division lead over the Games Hamilton Bulldogs with a 2-1 victory on Dec. 2. Currently, the Gens (18-7-0-2) are Region looking to host annual eight points ahead of the Bulldogs, who sit with 30 points for second place in the OHL`s Eastern tournament in 2019 Conference. It was Jack Studnicka who got By Graeme McNaughton 400 participants, including things started for Oshawa on the road, The Oshawa Express approximately 260 athletes, come scoring shorthanded in the first period Photo Submitted to the region in either February or to put the Gens up by one. The province’s top para-athletes March of 2019 to take part in The Oshawa Minor Generals Bantam AE team pile together on the ice at the Air Mitch Vande Sompel, coming off Canada Centre after taking part in Under Armour`s Storm the Centre competition. may soon be coming to Durham eight to 10 sports, including one of his biggest games of the season Region. swimming, wheelchair rugby and against North Bay Battalion where he Regional councillors will be wheelchair . netted a hat trick, sealed the deal on like to be a pro off the ice with media Durham will next be in action in asked to endorse Sport Durham’s Bridgeman says hosting the the powerplay in the second period. training, dry-land training, nutrition the new year when they head to bid, submitted earlier this year, to event would not only be a great Hamilton would manage one in the coaching and a talk from Leafs alum - Toronto for the annual George Brown host the 2019 edition of the opportunity to host a provincial second frame as well, beating starter ni Mike Johnson. The teams capped New Year’s Classic. Ontario Parasport Games, as well event in the region, but also an Jeremy Brodeur, but it would prove the day off with a regulation game on as authorize a grant of $20,000 to economic boon. not enough. the ice at the ACC. go towards the event. “Winning the right to host The Gens are back home for a pair Ridgebacks roll “For more than a decade, these games would boost our local of games this weekend, facing off Durham Region has worked to economy by about $500,000,” he against Saginaw on Dec. 9 and the Lords end 2016 over over RMC achieve an inclusive and accessi - says. Battalion on Dec. 11. ble environment; one that pre - “But for us, it is about more serves dignity and independence than just economic factors. It with a win over 7-2 for individuals of all abilities,” would offer the chance to The UOIT men’s hockey team says Brian Bridgeman, the strengthen inclusion far beyond Minor Gens Fleming region’s commissioner of plan - closed out conference action in 2016 our borders, while creating legacy Coming off a last second loss to with a 7-2 victory over the RMC ning and economic development, opportunities here at home.” travel to ACC in an emailed statement to The Centennial on Nov. 30, the Durham Paladins on Dec. 3 at the Campus Ice And to add to that, the Ministry On Dec. 4 the Oshawa Minor Oshawa Express. College men’s basketball team was Centre. of Tourism, Culture and Sport has Generals and York Simcoe Express “As a result of this strong lead - able to rebound, earning an 87-70 vic - With the lopsided win, UOIT heads advised that it will give a hosting got a chance to act like their hockey ership, Sport Durham – in partner - tory over Fleming at home. into the holiday break with a 12-5-1 grant of $110,000 for the games. heroes for a day as they took part in ship with other community organ - The win over the Knights wraps up record, good enough for third place in The report, due to be presented Under Armour’s Storm The Centre izations and volunteers – decided conference play in 2016 for Durham the OUA eastern conference standings to councillors for the first time at competition. to complete the necessary as they enter the break with a 5-4 with 25 points. Going into the new the next committee of the whole They were welcomed at Air research and due diligence for a record, putting them in fifth place in year, a number of teams are still in the meeting. Canada Centre with training gear and potential bid to host the 2019 the OCAA east region standings. hunt for the conference title with only The document does not indi - stepped on the ice with Toronto Maple Ontario ParaSport Games.” Funsho Dimeji had a big night for seven points separating first from cate when a decision on the host Leafs staff and alumni, Wendel Clark, If the bid is successful, the Durham as he dropped a game-high 22 sixth. Queen’s (13-4-1) leads the way community for the 2019 games for on-ice training session. region can expect to see more than points to go along with eight with 27 points while McGill (12-3-2) will be announced. Players also got a taste of what it’s rebounds, six assists and a steal. is in second place with 26.

DEC 7 2016 Page 19 n’t have the work ethic, we wouldn’t have the “I think the girls around her helped her, the knowledge, we wouldn’t have anything that environment helped her,” he says. A success we do have…Peyvand has absolutely taught us And the players were going to need all the everything that he knows to be better players, help they could get as they entered the OUA to be better people, to be better just as a final against the Queen’s Gaels. The national whole,” Bordeleau says. stage is nothing new to Queen’s, which has five years lifted the championship trophy six times Up against the best before along with two CIS championships. After a scoreless start to the game, it was Entering the OUA as a new team is one Henderson again, muscling off a Queen’s in the thing; going up against veteran schools like defender to run in on a breakaway and pick the Queens is another. bottom corner. However, even from their first year, the The goal was the only offense of the game, making team showed promise, with strong defense and it was enough to seal the win for UOIT and quickly establishing itself as an underdog in punch their ticket to the U Sport champi - the OUA, a team not to be ruled out. onships for the second time in program histo - From UNDERDOG Page 19 “We set goals that we didn’t really know if ry. That moment came when the final whistle they were realistic or not, but we did every - “Every step of the way, everything has been blew, sealing the deal on UOIT’s 1-0 victory thing that we could to achieve them,” Ryan historical,” Mossavat says. over the Queen’s Gaels to capture the says. And it didn’t end there. bronze medal, the first not only in the pro - It was in the team’s third season together in The club’s first match of the championship gram’s history, but for the university. 2014 that their success was taken to the next saw the Ridgebacks draw the Trinity Western “It was kind of just the cherry on the cake. level. Spartans, the club that knocked them out of the We all knew that we could do it, but we knew Following a dominant 12-2-2 season, tournament two years ago. Photo by Allan Fournier that anything can happen in those games. So behind only Ottawa (the year’s eventual If UOIT was looking for a bit of redemp - when the whistle blew and we actually knew national champion) in the OUA East standings, tion, it came off the foot of Mississauga’s we accomplished more than we ever thought UOIT would find themselves in the finals for Shynice Williams in the second overtime half, I couldn’t comprehend it See RIDGEBACKS Page 21 we could, it was just surreal, and a fairy tale the first time in their early history. breaking the scoreless tie and push them into ending,” says Jamie Ryan, a team veteran. After getting edged out by Western, miss - the semi-finals for the first time ever. “in the moment, I didn’t While the fairy tale came to an end for ing out on the chance to play for the gold There, the Ridgebacks found themselves some of the players this season, it has been a medal, UOIT played for the bronze medal against the powerhouse in Laval, who was even know what to do. I long story in the making, one with wins, loss - against the seven-time OUA champion Laurier coming into the championships following an was shellshocked. es and hard times; one that started with an idea Goldenhawks. undefeated season, and the team’s last regular and a vision five years ago and quickly became In the biggest game of their program histo - season loss coming all the way back in 2014. a reality beneath the feet of a team of dedicat - ry to that point, UOIT would top the As fated as the team’s season appeared to ed soccer players and coaches. Goldenhawks 2-0 and win their first ever OUA be, the veteran club was just too much for the Kylie Bordeleau medal, and move on to the U Sport champi - young Ridgebacks, but they didn’t go down Captain of the UOIT Women’s Soccer Team Goals, values and a new program onships, also a first. without a fight. ” However, the record-setting season would When Laval jumped ahead, it was It started with a job interview. come to an end after a loss to the reigning Henderson again who found the back of the net All-Canadian along with teammate Koelher- The UOIT Ridgebacks were looking for a champion Trinity Western Spartans relegated and sent the game to overtime. There, Laval Grassau. coach to head their women’s soccer program. UOIT to the consolation round, where they would eventually win to advance to the finals. However, it’s their efforts off the field that The eventual successful candidate would have would fall in penalty kicks, 1-0 to the Montreal “It’s inevitable that you’re going to be dis - have helped UOIT become an attractive spot big cleats to fill with coaching veteran Vaso Carabins. appointed, and you’re going to wish that things for young varsity athletes. Vujanovic (recently retired) heading the men’s The club would have to wait two years would have gone different,” Ryan says. “I “I think that we’ve had more looks from program since 2009, and included several before seeing U-Sport action again. think once you do a little bit of self reflection, really great players across Canada and more Ontario University Athletics (OUA) final four you realize that, you know what, Laval was a people wanting to come out,” Bordeleau says. appearances. Banner season really good team and they’ve been around for “I think it’s not only benefited the soccer It was the vision of Mossavat that eventual - a long time, and their girls were amazing.” program, but UOIT as a whole,” Ryan says. ly took the job, and the hefty goals of leading Coming into this year, Bordeleau and her The loss sent the Ridgebacks to the bronze “It’s been a complete 360 turnover since I’ve the new women’s program all the way to the U teammates knew that if they were ever going medal game, where they once again found been here and it’s amazing to see.” Sports (formerly CIS) championships. to see national glory, this had to be the year, themselves up against Queen’s in a rematch of That change and focus on the student-ath - “I said this is what I wanted to accomplish especially with a collection of team veterans in the OUA final. lete has also been a focus of Mossavat since and I don’t think they thought it would happen the Original Four getting set to graduate. And again, the evenly matched teams found day one, though it hasn’t always been easy, he in such a short period of time,” Mossavat says. “We knew that this was the team that was themselves in a scoreless gridlock. Unlike credits the university’s sport managers in Scott The university sport game was nothing new going to be able to do it,” she says. their previous two games of the championship, Barker at UOIT and Ken Babcock at Durham to Mossavat, who already had a U Sports For Ryan, the team was like nothing she this one wouldn’t need any overtime though as College with playing major roles in the pro - coach of the year honour under his belt, com - had played with before. it was third-year midfielder Katherine gram’s success. ing in 2007 during his time with the Ryerson “I think the team chemistry was so strong Koehler-Grassau who found the back of the “I’d like to think that we’ve created a pro - Rams. and we were all just so excited about what we net in the 59th minute. gram” Mossavat says. “It’s been amazing, and In the early days of the program, Mossavat had the opportunity to do.” The goal culminated the Ridgeback’s his - I tell you it hasn’t been easy all the time, began with building the foundation. Along And throughout the season, the team con - toric season earning the university it’s first always ups and downs as you go…but overall, with teaching his team of rookies solid soccer tinued to show they had one thing in mind. ever U Sport medal in school history, some - it’s been growth from every perspective, even skills, he was focused on their growth off the At the end of the OUA regular season, thing that was recently applauded by universi - for myself as a coach. I’ve learned a lot and pitch as well. This included the creation of UOIT was top of the league, dominant with 40 ty president Tim McTiernan. gotten better just being involved in this.” team “core values” that each player needed to points and a 13-2-1 record. The Ridgebacks “There are a lot of proud moments each and For Bordeleau and Ryan, their days wear - exemplify. were also top in the nation in scoring manag - every year, but there are very, very few ing the Ridgebacks jersey are over, but their “That’s something that we hold very dear in ing 60 goals in 16 games along with a strong moments that are absolutely stunning and we involvement in the program, perhaps not. our program,” Mossavat says. “Right off the defensive core that held opposing teams to had a few of them this year,” he says. “As much as we’re going to move on and bat from day one, we created a competitive only nine goals all year. graduate and do things, I don’t think that I’ll environment where the girls knew that you’ve However, to go down in the history books, More than just soccer ever fully move on because my heart is always got to continue trying to get better and every a great regular season needs to be followed up going to be with this team,” Ryan says. year we brought in players who were better with an amazing post-season run. Over the five year history of the team, the And while the team has accomplished near - than the previous year and that pushed every - UOIT had a trio of opponents ahead of girls and Mossavat have amassed a collection ly everything they set out to do in its early body.” them in order to capture the OUA banner – but of accolades for their efforts on the field. stages, perhaps some things will never change: And the club has seen players come and go, for a team riding a record-winning season, it To go along with his 2007 award, Mossavat some graduating out of the program, others not seemed to be a breeze. was named coach of the year in 2012, 2014 Take us to the days where we’re no longer completely buying in to what the team was A 2-0 win over Laurentian in the quarter and recently accepted the award again this underdogs in the OUA. building. finals was followed up by a 3-1 trouncing of year. Where we’re a threat in every game we Four players have been around since the the in the semi-finals with a Mossavat has also been named as the coach play. inception: Bordeleau and Ryan, along with pair of goals form Nicole Zajac and Durham’s of team Canada for the upcoming 2017 teammates Sara Voisin and Jessica Mithrush, own Taijah Henderson on a penalty kick. Summer Universiade in Chinese Taipei. “As much as we are a threat in every game making up what the team has dubbed the For Mossavat, Henderson’s play has Bordelau was named as an OUA all-star for now and we’re glad to be there…I don’t think Original Four. pushed her from barely on the field last year to the fourth straight season and also earned the we’ll ever lose that underdog feeling,” “We wouldn’t have the culture, we would - being the team’s “go-to person.” title of league MVP. She was also named a CIS Bordeleau says. “We never want to lose that.”

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