Stephanie Clark
A graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, London’s Stephanie Clark played under Geoff and Martin Painter at the North London Soccer Club. She has been involved in the Ontario Provincial program and NTC for the last 5 years, was Ontario Cup Champion at U12, U14 and U16 and National Club Champion at U14 and Finalist at U16, Canadian All-star Champion at U14 and Canada Games Bronze medalist at U-18. She is scheduled to join the Eastern Michigan University “Eagles”.
“Stephanie displays excellent athleticism that we look forward to adding to the front line. She has a fantastic attitude and enthusiasm for the game. She is an intelligent player that will compete for playing time right away.”
Eastern Michigan University Women’s Soccer Head Coach, Scott Hall
Olivia Colosimo
A student at St. Patrick High School in Thunder Bay and a graduate of Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School in Guelph, Olivia Colosimo played for the Lakehead Express, Mississauga Falcons and Hamilton Avalanche. She has been involved in the Ontario Provincial program and NTC for the last 5 years, was a member of Ontario’s U14 and U16 National All-Star Championship Teams, the Ontario Bronze Medal Team at the 2009 Canada Games and played on Canada’s U20 Team against the Toronto Lady Lynx in May, 2010. Her goal is to play on Canada’s U20 World Cup Team in 2012 and strive to be a starter at Butler University and to contribute to the Bulldogs’ program as much as possible. Olivia’s advice to aspiring young players: “Follow your dreams and do whatever you can to achieve your goals. All of the effort and time put into the sport will pay off in the end!” She is scheduled to join the Butler University “Bulldogs”.
“I was immediately impressed with Olivia’s ability to control the midfield. She has great mobility, a knack for getting touches on the ball and a technical ability that can get you out of tight spaces. She has incredible vision and her distribution range will be able to stretch defenses. We were also excited about her ability on her set pieces (corner kicks and free kicks). And then there are the intangibles – Olivia is extremely passionate about the game of soccer; it is apparent when you talk to her about the game and when you see her play. Passion is one of the key ingredients for reaching your potential. She responds to being down in a game better than anyone I have ever seen. She is mentally strong; you can tell that her teammates look to her for guidance during times of adversity. I’m looking forward to seeing her leadership ability develop further in college.”
Tari St. John, Head Coach, Women’s Soccer, Butler University
Christine Exeter
A graduate of Sir John A. Macdonald and Pickering High Schools, Christine played for the Ajax Storm 92′ Girls under Bob Langford and Nick Nicolopoulos and U14, U15 and U16 Provincial Teams under Bryan Rosenfeld. She won the 2009 Ontario Cup with the Ajax Storm, the OYSL Championship and the Golden Boot Award for the most goals scored with the Ontario U16 Team in 2009. Christine is majoring in biology and would like to pursue a career in dentistry. Her goal is to play for Team Canada and her advice to aspiring young players is to “Always give 100% percent, in practices, and in games, it what makes you a better player, and watch as many soccer games as you can you learn a lot from just watching.” Christine is scheduled to join the University of Louisville “Cardinals”.
“Christine is a very gifted athlete. She has great speed and is tremendous in the air. She possesses the technical ability to be dangerous with the ball at her feet, and she is tenacious defensively breaking up plays and winning balls. This combination of skill and determination will allow her to have an impact in any number of positions.”
Karen Ferguson-Dayes, University of Louisville Head Coach
Lauren Kadet
Lauren is scheduled to join the UMBC “Retrievers”.
“Lauren is a very technically sound goalkeeper who has tremendous vocal and leadership skills that are vital to be successful between the posts. Kadet’s competitiveness comes from playing for very successful teams. She trains in Ontario’s National Training Center, and this environment has given her the opportunity to play against Canada’s best young talent. The coaching staff is very excited to welcome her to the program and looks forward to helping her reach her full potential. We will look for her to compete immediately with our two current goalkeepers.”
Kerry Smith, Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach, UMBC
Adriana Leon
Adriana is scheduled to join the University of Notre Dame “Fighting Irish”.
“Adriana brings to us some valuable international experience just having competed in the CONCACAF U-20 World Cup Qualifying games in Guatemala. She is a physically strong and athletic player, and one who has a nose for the goal. She led Canada in scoring in these qualifying games, and led all scorers in the Canadian games last year. She should blend in very well with our other forwards as she brings a different dimension to the field. She certainly brings a competitiveness to our program, and a mental toughness. It’s great to add another player to our 2010 class of recruits that has national team experience.”
University of Notre Dame Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Randy Waldrum
Rachel Melhado
A graduate of Turner Fenton Secondary School in Brampton, Rachel captained the Mississauga Falcons and the Ontario U15 Team in 2007. She was a member of Ontario’s U14 and U16 National All-Star Championship squad in 2006 & 2008 and won the U17 Bronze Medal at the Canada Games in 2009. With the Falcons, she won the USA Cup Championship in 2007, OYSL Championship in 2008 and the Disney Showcase Championship in 2009. Her goals are to graduate from the University of Louisville as a memorable soccer player, play in the Women’s Professional League right after University and one day be apart of Canada’s Women’s National Team representing her country at the international level. Her advice to aspiring young players is that “Loving to play soccer is different from loving soccer. It takes dedication, time, and sacrifice for the sport you love. Never take your ability for granted and always work hard to be the best player you can be. Struggles come and go, but it is the strong players both mentally and physically that prevail.” Rachel is scheduled to join the University of Louisville “Cardinals”.
“Rachel possesses a terrific balance of finesse and tenacity to make her a wonderful center back. She is a great defender who is physically tough to beat. She is also extremely comfortable on the ball and has very good field vision- making her a great passer. Rachel’s experiences with the NTC program will allow her to make an immediate impact at the college level and we are excited to have a player of her caliber joining our program.”
Karen Ferguson-Dayes, University of Louisville Head Coach
Nicole Misener
Nicole is scheduled to join the University of Maine “Black Bears”.
“Nicole has an accomplished background considering her club, provincial and National Training Center experiences. She has proven to be a leader and impact player at every level of her development, and I anticipate that trend will continue at the Division I level. Nikki is quick, dynamic and composed on the ball. She is also a threat going forward as she can strike from a distance”.
University of Maine Women’s Soccer Head Coach, Scott Atherley
(Nicole’s comments at end of clip)
Nicole Mitchell
A graduate of Bishop MacDonell Catholic Highschool, Guelph’s Nicole Mitchell played for the Guelph Royal Oaks, Kitchener Spirit, Mississauga Falcons and the W-League’s Hamilton Avalanche. She was a member of Ontario’s U14 and U16 National All-Stars Championship teams and Canada’s National Team competing in the inaugural 2008 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. Her goal is to continue to play for Team Canada and help Louisville win a National Title. Nicole’s advice to young players is to “Work hard and develop your skills early. First touch is so important in this game. You have to develop that before you can progress to the next stages.” She is scheduled to join the University of Louisville “Cardinals”.
“Nicole is a player with tremendous skill and a great work rate. She is a great passer, capable of distributing the ball and connecting the play left to right, as well as playing a textured penetrating pass in behind defenders. Nicole’s soccer IQ is extremely high and her intelligent play will be a great asset in the midfield.”
Karen Ferguson-Dayes, University of Louisville Head Coach
Christabel Oduro (click for OSATv TouchLine interview)
A graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, Brampton’s Christabel Oduro played for the Brampton flames, Dixie Gladiators and the Toronto Lady Lynx. She was a Team Ontario star mid-fielder and a member of Team Canada in the CONCACAF qualifying tournament in Guatemala for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup. Christabel’s goal is to play Women’s Pro Soccer after university and her advice to young players is to “Never give up on your dreams, constantly push yourself to the limit and play with heart”. She is scheduled to join the University of Memphis “Tigers”.
“Christabel is versatile in the fact that she suits our team in two different positions, outside forward and attacking center midfielder,” Monaghan said. “She has great speed and she is very good in 1v1 situations. She has great skill and vision and that is what makes her so versatile. We expect Christabel to come in here and make an immediate impact with the ability she has. Christabel also brings that international experience which is fantastic to add to your squad. She has dreams of playing professionally and representing her country in the future and we are extremely excited to have her join our program. I hope myself and the coaching staff can help her meet her lifetime goals.”
University of Memphis Head Coach, Brooks Monaghan
Carmelina Puopolo
A graduate of Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary School, Carmelina played for the Scarborough Blizzard, Ajax Storm and Toronto Lady Lynx. She won Gold at the U14 Nationals in 2006 in Saskatchewan and Bronze at U16 Nationals in 2007 in Quebec. Her goals are to become a teacher and to play for Canada’s Women’s Team. Her advice to young aspiring players is to “Always believe that you are the best. When things get tough and you think that you can’t go on, just believe in yourself. Don’t let anyone get in the way of your dream.” Carmelina is scheduled to join the College of Saint Rose “Golden Knights”.
“We are very excited to have Carmelina join our program as we continue to strive to win a national championship next fall. Carmelina is a special offensive talent who will stregthen our ability to score goals. Her will to win and desire to compete at the highest level will enhance the winning mentality in our program. We are looking forward to her having a great impact on the pitch.”
Laurie Darling Gutheil, Women’s Soccer Head Coach, The College of Saint Rose
Madison Solow
Madison is scheduled to join the University of Florida “Gators”.
“What attracted us to Madison as a player was her technical ability in terms of her ability to get out of tight spaces. Madison also has good decision making skills with her distribution. We feel Madison’s style of play will benefit our possession-oriented game”.
Becky Burleigh, University of Florida Coach
Shanika Thomas
A graduate of Waterdown District High School, Hamilton District Soccer Association’s Shanika Thomas played for Flamborough SC, the 2009 OYSL Champions and Ontario Cup Finalist Mississauga Falcons and the Hamilton Avalanche. She has been involved in the Ontario Provincial program and NTC for the last 5 years and was on the U16 National All-Star Gold medalist team. Her goal is to play for Team Canada and her advice to younger players is: “Don’t give up, even if you get cut, keep going.” She is scheduled to join the Samford University “Bulldogs”.
“Shanika is an extremely smart soccer player that can impact a game from a number of different positions. She has a versatility and understanding of the game that allows her to play various positions in numerous formations. Her adaptability will make her a viable option for us in a number of positions this fall.”
Samford University Women’s Soccer Head Coach, Todd Yelton
Kodee Williams
Kodee is scheduled to join the University of Wisconsin “Badgers”.
“Kodee is a fast and dynamic flank attacker who will provide some 1 v 1 attacking excitement next year. Kodee’s experience with the U20 Canadian National Team and Ontario Provincial Teams will help to vary and create different attacking opportunities. She will bring a different dimension to our program that will surely complement our current players”.
University of Wisconsin Women’s Soccer Head Coach, Paula Wilkins
Shelina Zadorsky
A graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, London’s Shelina Zadorsky played for the Kitchener Spirit, London Galaxy and London Supernova. She won the OYSL Golden Boot award in 2006 and was voted MVP in numerous tournaments including the 2008 Ontario Cup Finals. She captained Ontario’s U14 National All-Star Championship Team in 2006, won Bronze at the 2007 U16 National All-Star Championships, placed third in the inaugural FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup CONCACAF qualifying tournament, made it to the Quarter Finals at the U17 World Cup and placed fourth in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualification round in 2009. Her goal is to play on Canada’s Women’s National Team, qualify for the U20 Women’s World Cup in 2012 and one day play on the Olympic Team. Her advice to young players is that “In order to achieve your goals, you must be unstoppable, unreasonable, and unconditional. Always keep your passion alive.” She is scheduled to join the Michigan University “Wolverines”.
(Shelina’s comments at end of clip)
“Shelina is a natural left sided player,” Ryan said. “She is exceptionally skillful, fast, good 1v1 and has a great service and a powerful shot with either foot from outside the box.”
University of Michigan Women’s Soccer Head Coach, Greg Ryan
“Coaches from south of the border know that Ontario and Canada provide a steady crop of talented soccer players who can be relied upon to help bring their game to the next level,” says Bryan Rosenfeld, OSA Manager of Player Development.
“These players reflect not only the contributions of The Ontario Soccer Association’s high-performance Coach- and Player Development Programs from the grassroots club up through to the national level, they also serve as important role models for the many young and aspiring soccer players in the province and across Canada.
“Their successes demonstrate that focus, hard work, commitment and passion can pay substantial dividends in both sports and academic endeavours, and there is no doubt that this personal work ethic will have a positive influence on everything they do in life.
“I am honoured to have had the opportunity to coach these players at the National level and, on behalf of The Ontario Soccer Association, I wish them continued success in their academic, athletic, professional and personal pursuits!”
For more information on scholarships for Ontario Athletes, see OSATv TouchLine interviews with the OYSL’s Gerry Gentile:
Notes provided by Kevin Small / Manager, NTCO
Reported by Wolf Ruck / OSA Staff