Ontario University Athletics soccer action opens locally on Saturday afternoon as Algoma University begins regular season action at Superior Heights.
Algoma is set for a pair of double-headers on the weekend against the Waterloo Warriors with women’s and men’s games set for both days.
Saturday’s action will see the women kick off at 1 p.m. and the men to follow at 3 p.m. Start times are an hour earlier on Sunday with the women at noon and the men at 2 p.m.
In addition to numerous new faces on both teams, there is a new, but still very familiar, face coaching the women’s team as Neil Ovey will begin his first season as the women’s coach. The change will mean double duty for the coaching veteran.
Ovey spent the past four seasons as coach of the men’s team and will serve both roles this season while working with assistant coaches Mara Kremenovic, Nick Mullen, and Carlo Francella.
During training camp, Ovey said the men’s team worked to bring in players to fill some key areas in order to improve.
"Last year, we underachieved. I know that sounds harsh, but it is the truth. We identified the areas we needed to fix and improve so we brought in quality players to fix those areas: centre, midfield, striker, and defense,” Ovey said in a release. “Even though that sounds like we're replacing everything, we're not. We just needed to bring in a few players to strengthen a few weak spots and build on the strengths of the other players.”
While stepping into new territory with the women’s team, Ovey said he has been impressed with what he saw early on.
“I've been really impressed by the women's team. This is the first time I've ever coached a women's team and I wasn't sure what it would take. I wasn't sure how different it would be. But the girls are tough. They've had enough of being at the bottom of the OUA, of being in last. They're done with that. They're working hard. Their attitude is great. They've blown me away with their attitude and mentality. Their physical fitness is also very good. This is a very competitive team this year."
Following action this weekend against Waterloo, Algoma will then hit the road for games at the University of Guelph next weekend.