The Holland College Hurricanes have been there and now can say they done that after announcing they are hosting the 2012 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association national women’s soccer championship next November in Cornwall.
Holland College unveiled details on the tournament Wednesday in Charlottetown.
The championship brings together eight of the best small college women’s soccer teams from British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes.
This season, the Hurricanes didn’t reach the nationals after losing in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association title game 1-0 to the University of King’s College Blue Devils from Halifax.
But the Holland College women reached the nationals in 2010 and 2008, finishing sixth in both appearances.
Hurricanes goalkeeper Amanda Wheatley was on the squad three seasons ago, but she’s not taking anything for granted with the automatic berth as host team.
“I think it’s pretty cool. I was there in 2008 in B.C., and it was a good experience,” said Wheatley, who was an Atlantic conference all-star this season for the 7-1-4 Hurricanes. “It’s always good to play in front of your hometown and home fans. Hopefully, we can earn our place.”
The Hurricanes have been strong since joining the ACAA several years ago. They hosted the ACAA championships in 2009 and have won conference titles in two of the last four seasons.
So this step, said Hurricanes’ head coach Amy Connolly, is a welcome one she's prepared for. The CCAA confirmed Holland College's bid at its annual general meeting in June.
“It does so much not only for our soccer team, but for the college. It steps us up. Holland College is a bigger option now (for student-athletes),” said Connolly, who won an Atlantic university soccer title over her five-year stint with the UPEI Panthers. “Recruiting has started already. We want to go big. Nationals is our only goal from Day 1 and we want to bring back a medal for the college.”
The championship runs Nov. 5 to 10 at the Terry Fox Complex in Cornwall. Holland College students will be involved in many stages of running the tournament such as registration, the website, food and beverage, guest services, etc., for practical experience.
But for Wheatly, an advanced care paramedic student from Warren Grove, her focus will be on winning the ACAA title and not coasting along as the national host.
“I don’t think (that will happen). We all have the heart to earn our position,” said the 22-year-old Wheatley, who won the school’s female athlete-of-the-year award in 2009. “I don’t think that our coaches will let us slide through.”
Connolly’s assistant coaches are Kristofer McKinnon and Ashley Gillis.
The Holland College men’s team finished second at the CCAA championship last month after a 2-1 loss to the NAIT Ooks in Quebec and returned home with a silver medal. It was the school’s first national medal in soccer.
creid@theguardian.pe.ca
