Eight OSC Girls U18 Players Sign NCAA Letters of Intent
- Details
-
01 Feb 2012
OAKVILLE, ON – Eight players from the G1994A team at Oakville Soccer Club (OSC), Canada’s largest community soccer organization, announced their commitment to play at NCAA programs today, the official National Letter of Intent signing day. A ninth, who will graduate next year, has verbally accepted a scholarship. The team is coached by Dino Lopez, a former professional player in Canada and the United States who has coached with OSC for seven years and has guided this team for two.
Alex Abrahams (University of Maine) – Abrahams played at OSC for 14 years, nine of which were spent on the 1994A team. From White Oaks Secondary School, she plays centre back and centre mid. Abrahams played with Team Ontario for U14, U15 and U16 and represented Ontario at National All – Stars in 2009. Abrahams intends to major in journalism.
Crystal Elmers (Liberty University) - One of the top-10 scorers in the OYSL last year, Elmers participated in the District and Regional teams while at OSC. She is a four-time letter winner in basketball and volleyball and a two-time letter winner in badminton and track and field at Smithville District Christian High. She led her soccer team to OFSAA Silver as a midfielder and four-time letter winner. Elmers will major in studio and digital Art.
Lia Foster (Marshall University) – A member of Team Ontario U14, U15, and U16, Foster played right back for Ajax’s 1993 Ontario Cup winners in 2009 and 2010 and their U16 Canadian Club National Silver Medalists in 2009 before joining OSC. She has been named to the Honour Roll every semester at Keswick High School. Foster would like to major in communications or journalism.
Kassidy Kidd (University of Buffalo) – Kidd will graduate from A.N. Myer Secondary School (Niagara Falls) where she was a four-year starter on the Varsity. A central midfielder, she played in the Provincial Program for U14, U15, and U16. She moved to centre defender with OSC’s U16 team and will play centre back for the Bulls. Kidd plans to major in exercise science and hopes to earn a two-year Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
Jade Kovacevic (Louisiana State University) – An OSC player since U13, Kovacevic was one of only two U16 girls to play for the Canadian U17 Women's National Team and played for the U14, U15 and U16 Provincial Team. She was named the OSC Outstanding Female Athlete in 2009. She will graduate from Acton High School, where she competed on the cross country team. Kovacevic plans to major in broadcast journalism.
Julia Lombardi (Eastern Michigan University) – Lombardi will graduate from Abbey Park where she received the Junior Athlete of the Year award in Grade Ten followed by the Senior Athlete of the Year Award in Grade 11. Lombardi plays Rep Hockey with the Oakville Hornets and is actively involved in high school basketball, hockey and soccer. She plans to major in exercise science.
Elysia Masters (University of Memphis) – Masters played centre mid-field for most of soccer career, however she has also played outside mid. She started for two years on the Nelson High School (Burlington) Varsity Team and participated in several events in the US, including the 2010 Disney Showcase Tournament and the 2011 Invitational, Rutgers University. A four-year honour roll French immersion student, she plans to major in science.
Lauren Swant (University of Maine) – Swant played her entire youth soccer career at OSC and has attended the National Training Centre since 2010. She was a member of the Ontario gold medal team in 2010 and was voted the tournament’s Top Goaltender. Swant was also named to the National Provincial All-Star Team. Her team won the Ontario Cup Silver Medal in 2007.
Rebecca Pongetti – A central mid-fielder, Pongetti has accepted a scholarship to Louisiana State University, but does not graduate high school until 2013. She is currently attending a U17 Women's National Camp in Florida. In July 2011 she helped lead the Ontario Provincial U16 squad to gold at the National Championships. Pongetti received the OSC’s Outstanding Female Player of the Year Award last year.
“At OSC, the achievement of scholarship opportunities by our top players is an important yardstick of success that we aim for as a club and is enshrined in our strategic plan,” Chief Administrative Officer Paul Varian said. “We are delighted that these wonderful young players have the chance to open the next chapter in their soccer careers at NCAA universities and wish them every success in their continued soccer and academic development.”
“I would like to congratulate all of the players and wish them the best of luck as they take the next steps in their soccer careers,” Technical Director Jason deVos said. “Success in the game is largely due to hard work, dedication and commitment of the players, coupled with a positive learning environment and support from the coach and club.”
The players will be formally introduced at OSC this evening (Wednesday, February 1) at 6 pm in the Board Room at the Pine Glen Soccer Centre. Media availability will follow.
About Oakville Soccer Club
Originally formed in 1972, Oakville Soccer Club is the largest community soccer organization in Canada with over 12,000 members, coached by over 900 volunteer and professional coaches. The club is based at its 100,000 square foot indoor soccer facility at Pine Glen Road in North Oakville and carries the Gold Standard Award for Club Excellence from the Ontario Soccer Association. The club’s tradition of excellence includes nine national championships, 54 Ontario Cups and a large number of players selected to represent Canada at the international level. Several hundred OSC players have also earned scholarships with universities and colleges in Canada and the United States.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Stephanie J. Geosits
Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications
(905) 849-4436 x4435
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.oakvillesoccer.ca
Twitter
Facebook