Villanova College crowned at York University soccer tournament
By Jon Yaneff

St. Thomas of Villanova College's senior girls' soccer team won the York University showcase indoor tournament against Sacred heart Catholic High School, 1-0 in the final March 20. They are now preparing for the CISAA championship starting April 23, which they are hosting.

St. Thomas of Villanova College's senior girls' soccer team won the York University showcase indoor tournament, beating Sacred Heart Catholic High School (Newmarket) 1-0 in the final March 20.

It is the largest six versus six high school indoor tournament in Ontario.

The winning goal came from Amanda Gaeta.

In total Villanova played seven games, as they passed through two group stages. Before reaching the quarterfinals they played knockout stages. Along the road to the championship, they beat Pickering (Durham), Senator O'Connor (Toronto), East York (Toronto), Oakwood (Toronto), Nelson (Halton), Cardinal Newman (Toronto), before beating Sacred Heart (York) in the finals.

Since Villanova is only a single A, it is a greater success because the defeated two AAA and five AAAA schools during this tournament. The AAAA schools are at least three times larger in student population.

Villanova's top scorers were Stefani Bisogno (seven goals), Kelly O'Hanlon (four) and team captain Victoria Curci (three).

"Victoria is really the engine of our team and a great leader," said Head Coach Andrew Gekas.

Curci is graduating this year and is heading to Arizona on scholarship to play for Grand Canyon University.

"I am very proud of these girls," Gekas said of the whole team. "They embody discipline, desire and the dedication to win. Unitas (Latin for unity) is the foundation of out team and it is extremely important to create a team culture where leadership, sportsmanship and ownership are core values."

"The girls have been brought in to play not for themselves, but for each other and for Villanova."

The tournament took place March 18 to 20 at the Hangar (Downsview Park). The tournament prepared the girls for the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association) CISAA championship starting April 23, which they are hosting.

"The York University showcase gives us the opportunity to play some of the GTA's (Greater Toronto Area) top teams," explained Gekas. "It is important to challenge the girls by playing these big teams and raising our level of play. This year our goal is to win the CISAA championship and make it back to OFSAA, although this year we will be playing up a category in AA."

In June the girls' team won the single A (best team up to 500 students in Ontario) OFSAA championship, beating the L'Essor Aigles 2-0.

Gekas said girls aren't an overnight success. They have worked very hard to get to where they are.

"We practice Tuesday evenings during the winter months," he said. "The girls even sacrificed the second week of their March break to participate in the York showcase."

Villanova was awarded the chance to see a Toronto FC game against DC United on May 21, compliments of the York University Sport Administration Association and York Soccer.