London's Bazos Joins Gators

Florida Soccer announce nine additions
By University Athletic Association

University of Florida head coach Becky Burleigh announced Wednesday that seven players will join the Gator soccer program for the 2005 fall season. In addition, two new players have joined the Florida team this spring - one as a transfer and one after graduating early from high school.
Leading the class is two midfielders with ties to their national teams - midfielder Ameera Abdullah of Denver, Colo., and Katarina Bazos of London, Ontario. Abdullah is a three-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas Girls Youth All-America selection. She also was a member of the U.S. under-16 and U-17 National Teams. Bazos is a current member of the 2005 U-20 Canadian National Team. She was part of the Canadian National Team that went to U-19 World Championships in Thailand in 2003. Bazos and current Gator All-American Melanie Booth played together on the Toronto Inferno club team.
Florida's class contains several players with considerable Olympic Development Program (ODP) experience. Forward Carly Deiter of Freedom, Pa., was selected to the 2003 and '04 Region I ODP and was a five-year starter for the Pennsylvania West ODP. She played for Sewickley Academy as a freshman, sophomore and junior and scored the game-winning goal to give SA the 2003 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class AA title. Katie Davis, a goalkeeper from Lake Mary, Fla., was a member of the 2001 and '02 Florida ODP state teams. Davis led Lake Highland Prep to the 2005 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 3A soccer final last weekend.
Forward Katie Green of Knoxville, Tenn., has been a part of the Tennessee State ODP team since 1999 and is part of the Region III U-19 team. She is the 2005 Tennessee Player of the Year and also a 2004 and '05 Tennessee Sportswriter's All-State selection. Megan Kerns, a forward from Ames, Iowa, is a seven-year ODP participant, including five years on the Region II ODP team. She attended the ODP National Camp in 2000, '01 and '02. Kerns is also a National Merit Scholar finalist. Forward Brittney Marriott of Satellite is a three-year ODP member and was selected to the 2001-04 Florida State "A" ODP team. Marriott, who comes from the same high school as former Gator All-American Andi Sellers, led Satellite High School to the 2002 and '03 Florida Class 5A state title.
Forward Stacy Bishop of Land O'Lakes transferred to UF for the spring 2005 semester after playing the last two seasons for Louisiana State University. In 2004, Bishop earned All-Southeastern Conference second team honors and was third in the league with 25 points off of nine goals and seven assists. She will sit out the 2005 season due to her transfer between league schools. Another newcomer to the Gator program this spring is forward/midfielder Jacie Henderson of Rochester, N.H. Henderson played for the New Hampshire state team from 2001-04 and earned New Hampshire Class L First Team All-State honors four consecutive years. She graduated early from Portsmouth Christian Academy, enrolled at UF in January and will train with the Gator soccer team this spring.
"This is a gifted class that will address our needs," Burleigh said. "We feel that we signed some quality individuals who will excel on and off the soccer field. I am very excited about this group and look forward to working with them this fall."
The Gator soccer team turned in a 16-4-3 record in 2004, won the Southeastern Conference Tournament title and made its eighth NCAA Tournament appearance.
Ameera Abdullah
NSCAA/adidas Girls Youth All-American (2002, 2003, 2004)…Played on the U-16 and U-17 U.S. National Teams…Four year member of both Colorado State and Regional Olympic Development Program (ODP) teams…First-team Colorado Class 5A in 2004…Member of Real Colorado club team that won U-16 and U-18 Colorado state titles, reached the U-15 and U-17 Orange Classic finals and finished seventh in the U-18 national rankings…Trained at the U.S. Soccer National Training/Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif…Played high school soccer for Smoky Hill H.S. the last two years and part of Centennial League championships teams both years…Will graduate from Smoky Hill High School in Denver, Colo., in June of 2005…Coached by Mike Rivas and Jared Spires at Real Colorado Club team…Contacted by more than 100 schools in the recruiting process.
Katarina Bazos
A current member of the 2005 U-20 Canadian National Team…Member of the U-19 Canadian National Team that went to U-19 World Championships in Thailand in 2003… Played midfielder alongside current Gator All-American Melanie Booth on the Toronto Inferno…Led the Inferno in points (12), assist (4), and shots (23), and also second in goals (4) in 2004… From 1997-03, played for the London Shooting Stars and within a span of seven years won the Ontario Cup three times (2000, 2002, 2003), won national championship (2000), won the Indoor Ontario Cup (2003), won the provincial championship (2001), and also provincial runner-up (2003)… Team MVP for London Shooting Stars for six consecutive years (1998-2003) and top point leader for six years (1998-00, 2002-04)… Has participated in the National Training Center Ontario (NTC-O)…Member of the 2001 U-15 Ontario Provincial National Championship team…In 2002, member of the U-16 Ontario Provincial and U-16 Canadian National Teams…U-17 Ontario Provincial Team, and part of the U-17 and U-19 Canadian National Teams in 2003…Graduated from Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School in London, Ontario, Canada in 2004.
Stacy Bishop
Enrolled at the University of Florida in spring of 2005 after playing for Louisiana State University in the 2003 and '04 seasons…All-Southeastern Conference Second Team (2004)…Led SEC in shots (92), third in points (25), fourth in assists (7) and fifth in goals (9) in 2004…2004 Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-Louisiana Women's Soccer Team member…Louisiana Freshman of the Year (2003)…LSU Offensive MVP (2003)…Florida Olympic Developmental Program (ODP) participant in 1999-02…Member of HC United Club Team…Dairy Farmers Florida Class 2A Player of the Year (2003) and earned Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) Class 2A First Team All- State honors in 2001, '02 and '03…Pasco County all-time scoring leader (192 goals)…Sunshine Athletic Conference Pasco County Player of the Year (2000-03)…Tampa Tribune Pasco County Player of the Year (2000-03)…St. Petersburg Times Pasco County Player of the Year (2000-03)…Scored the only goal of the match to give Land O'Lakes High School the 2003 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 2A state title
Katie Davis
2001 and ’02 Florida Olympic Development Program (ODP) Florida State team member…Member of FC America Kumba club team since 2003 and is coached by Tino Rodrigues…Four year member of Lake Highland Prep School soccer team, where she is also coached by Rodrigues…Led Lake Highland Prep to the 2005 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 3A soccer final.…Team took 2004-05 Region title and was runner-up in 2003-04…Will graduate from Lake Highland Prepatory School in Lake Mary, Fla., in June of 2005.
Carly Deiter
2003 and '04 Region I Olympic Development Program (ODP) selection…Five year starter for Pennsylvania West ODP…Four-year member of Beadling Centennials club team, where she was coached by Tom Murphy and Erik Ingram…Club team won 2002, '03, '04 Pennsylvania West state championships…Beadling Centennials took third at 2003 Region I tournament…Played for Sewickley Academy three seasons (did not play as a senior), where she was coached by Jessica Peluso…Scored game-winning goal as Sewickley Academy won 2003 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class AA title…SA also was runner-up in 2002 state championship…Will graduate from Sewickley Academy in Freedom, Pa., in 2005…Twin sister (Casey) signed a national letter of intent with the University of New Hampshire.
Katie Green
Participated in the Olympic Development Program (ODP) with the Tennessee State Team from 1999-05…Member of Region III U-19 (ODP) team…Eight-year member of Diadora Impact club team where she was coached by Phil McNamara …Club team claimed 2005 Orange Classic title…Team also was 2001 Tennessee state champions and runner-up in 2004…Four-year starter for Farragut High School where she was coached by Dennis Lindsay…2004 and '05 Tennessee Sportswriter's All-State selection…2005 Tennessee Player of the Year…Farragut High School was 2005 Tennessee Class 3A State runner-up…Named district MVP in 2005 and four-time member of all-district team…Regional player of the year (2005)…Will graduate from Farragut High School in Knoxville, Tenn., in 2005…mother and father are UF graduates.
Jacie Henderson (Pronunciation: Jackie)
National Christian Schools Athletic Association (NCSAA) Girls Varsity Soccer All-American First Team selection in 2005…Portsmouth Christian Academy MVP for five consecutive years…New Hampshire Class L First Team All-State (2001, '02, '03, '04) and honorable mention in 2000…Coached by Jim Henderson at Portsmouth Christian Academy…Played forward/midfield for Seacoast United Soccer Club U17 (2002) and also Seacoast United Super Y Team (2003-2004)…Played for the ODP New Hampshire State Team (2001-2004)…New Hampshire TOC State Cup Champions (U14, U16, & U17 SUSC)…Coached by Paul Willis and Dave Burgess at Seacoast United…Graduated early from Portsmouth Christian Academy and enrolled at the University of Florida in January of 2005.
Megan Kerns
Forward for the Ankeny Soccer Club for six years and also appears at midfielder…Won six consecutive State Cup Championships with Ankeny Soccer Club…Participated in the Olympic Development Program (ODP) for seven years… Played for Regional II ODP team for five years…Attended the 2000, '01 and '02 ODP National Camp… Went on European Tour with the Region II ODP in 2004 and with Iowa ODP in 2001…Member of championship team at 2001 Vildbjerg (Denmark) Cup with Iowa ODP and also part of 2001 Norway Cup quarterfinal team in Oslo, Norway…Coached by Ozzie White at the Ankeny Soccer Club…National Merit Scholar Finalist and academic four year letter winner… Will graduate from Ames High School in Ames, Iowa, in 2005.
Brittney Marriott
Played forward and also appeared at left outside midfield for three years with the Indialantic Force…Won state championship with Indialantic Force in 2002…Earned Michelle Akers Classic All-Tournament First Team Honors (2003)…Three-year member of the Olympic Development Program (ODP)…Made (ODP) Florida State "A" Team (2001-2004)… Member of Satellite High School team that won the 2002 and '03 Florida Class 5A State Championships, runner-up in 2004 and reached the semifinals in 2005…Other high school honors include Team Offensive MVP (2004), All-State Team (2004), Florida All-Space Coast Team (2002-2004), Rookie of the Year (2001), and Orlando Sentinel Player of the Year (2004)…Scored 104 goals during her high school career…Member of Southeastern Regional Team in (2003)…Coached by Fitzgerald Haig at the Indialantic Force and Fidgi Haig at Satellite High School…Will graduate from Satellite High School in Satellite Beach, Fla., in 2005.

OSA February Board Decisions

OSA Board of Directors Decisions at its February Meeting
The OSA's Board of Directors held its quarterly meeting at the Radisson Suites Hotel at the Toronto Airport on the February 18-20, 2005 weekend.

Click Here for the February Report.

Women's league rejected

The Ontario soccer body says a proposed league would damage an existing group.
KATHY RUMLESKI, Free Press Sports Reporter
2005-02-24 03:29:26

The Ontario Soccer Association is rejecting a plan by the Canadian Professional Soccer League to run a women's league this summer. In an e-mail obtained by The Free Press, John Knox, the OSA's league management committee chairperson, said his group won't allow the league to operate because it could have "a potentially damaging effect on the (Ontario Women's Soccer League)."
CPSL spokesperson Stan Adamson said he was stunned that any OSA official would make such comments.
"It's bowing to internal pressures and the politics of the game," Adamson said. "It's dynamite; it's jumping the gun."
He said the league hasn't had a chance to present its case.
The CPSL needs the approval of the governing body to run a female league or a tournament. It is considering a tournament if the league does not proceed.
Knox says the league's suggestion of holding a tournament over three months "is a farce" and he plans to take any steps needed to stop the CPSL.
OSA officials could not be reached for comment yesterday.
The Ontario Women's Soccer League is also trying to stop the CPSL's plans.
"My members are against it," said OWSL president Tony Crowle.
He said the 12 provincial division teams would lose players to the CPSL.
"It's going to impact their teams greatly." London is concerned because girls are hedging "about signing with . . . their provincial team (London United Marconi), because they don't know what's happening."
Ryan Gauss, manager of London City's women's team that would play in the CPSL, said his team won't take players from the OWSL.
"We're not here to dismantle their provincial team," he said.
Adamson believes there are enough females playing soccer that even more top-flight teams could be added.
"A case could be made that there isn't even enough structure in place," he said.
Adamson said his group has put a lot of work into its proposal and they want to talk to the OSA about it.
"We will go back to the OSA and appeal to them to see reason."
The two sides are even disputing whether the CPSL has submitted an application to the OSA.
Adamson says an application in principle to operate women's soccer has been submitted, while the league management committee said in the letter that "no application has been received from the CPSL to run a league or a tournament."

CSA Launches ‘iCoach’

Coaching Center
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
CSA Launches New Online Coaching System - ‘iCoach’

Ottawa, Ontario - As part of its commitment to grass roots development the CSA is proud to announce the launch of its new Online Coaching System known as ‘iCoach’. ‘iCoach’ was designed in association with Nortia Technologies to assist coaches to plan, share and save practice sessions, schedule games and tournaments, develop team lists and store and track player information. In addition, with its internal message centre and discussion board each player and coach within a team can be in touch with one another on a real time basis. [iCoach]“I think that this tool will be a great help to coaches at all levels and will simplify all aspects of organizing their coaching duties,” said Ray Clark, Director of Coaching & Player Development for the Canadian Soccer Association. “With life getting busier and busier, having one easy-to-use tool to help accomplish this will be a tremendous benefit to coaches. The ability to communicate through the message centre and the discussion board is a great time saver in itself.”Another function that has been developed in ‘iCoach’ allows the Canadian Soccer Association to provide each coach subscriber access to additional resources which will be updated at intervals throughout the year. Coaches now have somewhere to go for help or information and it’s just a click of a mouse away. For those who want to improve their understanding of coaching young players, there are the special CSA Online Courses that walk coaches through various aspects of the art of coaching with the help of written instruction and streaming video.As a subscriber to ‘iCoach’, you will be able to:
Create and share a team home page
Schedule and plan games, plan practices, and other events
Have access to over 50 drills (complete with streaming video) that you can use in your own practice plans
Create your own drills
Have access to resources created by the Canadian Soccer Association, including online courses for personal development
Communicate with your players using the messaging tools and discussion board
Create team or event photo albums
View and print team lists
Your Players will be able to:
View resources provided by the coach and the Canadian Soccer Association
View practice plans complete with streaming video
Efficiently communicate with the coach and/or team mates
View photo albums
View and print team listsGiven all that ‘iCoach’ can do for coaches it’s no surprise that the Canadian Soccer Association is so excited about this new coaching tool. Clark goes on to say “…we were so impressed with the number of ways ‘icoach’ can be used to assist coaches to do their job that we have customized a version for use with our National Teams Program.”To try this online coaching system free for 30 days, simply click on the ‘iCoach’ button shown on the CSA’s Home Page. Annual subscription thereafter is only $29.95.

Top soccer showdown looms

The W-League's Gryphs and the CPSL's City will try to sign the area's best female players.

KATHY RUMLESKI, Free Press Sports Reporter
2005-02-18 01:54:57

The future of top-flight women's soccer in London is shaping up to be a showdown between two parties eager to form teams for this summer. The London Gryphons are holding a tryout on Sunday as they get set to compete in the Tampa, Fla.-based W-League, the longest-running women's league in the U.S.
London City will hold its first tryout April 3 for play in the Canadian Professional Soccer League's proposed female division.
Both sides will be competing for the best female players in Southwestern Ontario.
"We are trying to get the cream of the crop. We'll miss out on some," said Gryphons GM Aldo Caranci. "I think if they're good enough to play for the W-League, they should be playing in this league."
Ryan Gauss, the manager for City's women's team, said the race is on. "You have to go gung-ho; you can't sit back."
Caranci said the Gryphons have signed all-Canadian striker Cristina Bonasia, who also plays for the Western Mustangs, and Kimberly Dimitroff of Oakville, an all-American forward with Kent State.
Former Western star Eva Havaris, a Londoner, would like to play for one of the teams but isn't making any decisions until her coaching status becomes clear. Havaris plans to coach a North London competitive team and she'd also like to coach the female Mustangs.
"It's just going to be a matter of whoever can be flexible with that (coaching) schedule," said Havaris, who is managing Canada's under-19 women's rugby team.
While the Gryphons will begin play May 22 in London against the Fort Wayne Fever, the CPSL is awaiting approval from the Ontario Soccer Association. That could come Feb. 27 when the CPSL presents its proposal to the association.
"I believe we are on the right track with our current plans, which I hope will be well received and supported by our governing body and all other supporters of women's soccer," said Vince Ursini, CPSL president.
Ursini also said women should choose to play in the CPSL because it is a league developed and controlled by Canadians.
The Gryphons -- who will play in the mid-West conference with Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Fort Wayne and West Michigan -- are one of six new franchises in the 34-team W-League.
While the W-League does not pay its players, there are some in the league who do get paid by other clubs, said league spokesperson Gerald Barnhart.
He said the league doesn't want to break NCAA scholarship eligibility rules, which prohibit college players on scholarships from getting paid. A player can also lose amateur status by playing in a league deemed professional even if no money is exchanged.
Caranci, a part-owner of the Gryphons with Londoners Aaron and Ed Lauterbach and American Eric Voide, said females playing in the CPSL may jeopardize their scholarship chances. "A lot of girls have an issue with it."
CPSL public relations director Stan Adamson said the league is close to getting an exemption from the NCAA for teams such as London City who do not pay players.
"We could gain quick approval on that," he said.
The Gryphons played three W-League exhibition games and then shut down last July.
"I'm glad we had an exhibition year. It gave us time to work all the bugs out," Caranci said.
But skepticism that the team will play all 14 games this season has come from some corners.
Caranci said the team is on solid ground and will play the full schedule.
There's also doubt the CPSL will gain approval from the OSA for its plans.
Gauss said his league would lose some credibility if the women's division isn't a go this summer.
"It would be damaging," he said. "A buzz is being created. To get it squashed . . . are people going to be interested in it next year? You have to strike while the iron's hot."
Officials from both teams agreed the future of women's soccer in London has never looked better.
"Girls are going to get to play at this level," Gauss said. "That's our main goal here."
Copyright © The London Free Press

Anthony Vassallo on Good Goal Pace

Malta - Press Release - February 18, 2005

Canadian born Anthony Vassallo continues to score for the Birkirkara Youth Squad. He notched his 7th goal in 11 games on Thursday in a 5-1 victory over Pieta Hotspurs. Anthony is 2nd on the team in goal scoring, just after Ian Falzon who also scored in the Stripes Victory. The Birkirkara squad has a good hold on 1st place in the top Maltese youth football division.
http://www.maltafootball.com/youthsa.shtml
They currently are 11-1-1 with 34 points.
17 year old Vassallo holds a duel Maltese/Canadian citizenship, and is one of several Birkirkara Players who are currently training with the U19 Maltese National Team.

Canada up five places in FIFA rankings

Canada up five places in FIFA rankings
Canadian Press
2/16/2005

ZURICH (CP) - Canada jumped five places to No. 85 in the FIFA world soccer rankings Wednesday, its highest position since October 2003.
Frank Yallop's team was rewarded for a 1-0 win in Northern Ireland. Canada was as low as No. 99 in September 2004. Northern Ireland, meanwhile, dropped two places to No. 111.
Only Ukraine (No. 49, up eight) and Chad (No. 160, up eight) moved more than Canada in February.
European champion Greece also jumped five spots to No. 13, its highest position since the FIFA rankings were introduced in 1993.

Canada stands ninth in CONCACAF, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean.
There were no changes at the top end. Brazil remained No. 1, followed by France, Argentina, the Czech Republic and Spain. Mexico moved up one place into a tie with the Netherlands for No. 6, ahead of England, Portugal and Italy.
Canada plays No. 9 Portugal in a March 26 friendly.

GRYPHON’S SIGN WESTERN STANDOUT!

LONDON ONTARIO,Feb 14 2005

Cristina Bonasia tough, hard-nosed midfielder-forward
and a prototype W-League player will bring great versatility and outstanding
leadership qualities to the Gryphons, says Head Coach Paul D'Hollander, Bonasia
has a long list of accomplishments notably 4 time OUA All Star, 4 time All
Canadian, Ontario and Canadian Rookie of the year and a still unbroken record
scoring 12 goals in 6 games along with the game winner in the gold medal OFFSA
game. D'Hollander says along with her newly signed teamates she hopes to be
instrumental in helping us immediately as a ball winner and she also has great
ability to get us into our attack.

Women's soccer group ready to go

Women's soccer group ready to go
By MORRIS DALLA COSTA -- London Free Press

Three days ago, the Canadian Professional Soccer League was pretty sure its women's division, set to begin in 2005, wouldn't start until 2006.
And when it did begin, it would start with only six teams, not the proposed 12.
But that was three days ago.
After a league meeting, the CPSL will debut a women's division in June and it will include nine teams, not six.
London City Soccer Club general manager Harry Gauss attended the meeting and was a major proponent of the division. As expected, there was some waffling from organizations that don't want to touch the women's game.
But in the end, good sense carried the day.
There was a fear the proposed division would not happen. League officials indicated the Ontario Soccer Association had not yet recognized the proposed addition to the CPSL. Each team will be recognized by its local soccer association and the association will then go to the OSA.
A delay would have created more trouble within the league. When a plan's in place, it had better get done or it may get forgotten.
"I'm still reeling that we got nine teams," Gauss said. "I think we all recognize this project is a good project, that we do parallel the men's game and that the men's and women's game at this level have to be cultivated in the same parameters. It's not as if we began planning last year for this. The plans have been in the works for four years."
Soccer is dominated by men. While men at the highest levels recognize the value of women's soccer and have acknowledged it by promotion and through high-profile tournaments, many lower-level organizations remain firmly in prehistoric times.
Women's soccer is growing faster than men's soccer and provides a vast marketing opportunity. If you look in the stands during a women's game, you see not only men but also many young females, many of whom play soccer.
It's a demographic that spends a lot of money on the game.
London City will be managed by Ryan Gauss, soon to be 19, and coached by Tonino Commisso.
London is joined by Windsor, Oshawa, Toronto Supra, North York, Brampton, Oakville, St. Catharines and Vaughan. City will probably play in a three-team division with Windsor and Brampton as part of a 10-game schedule. They'll play Windsor and Brampton twice and every other team once. At the end of the season, a women's Canada Cup tournament will be held.
Ryan Gauss will be by far the youngest general manager in the league.
It's a homecoming of sorts for London City. They have been out of women's soccer for 10 years and therefore have no core group of players to call on.
"We've been out there scouting," Harry Gauss said. "So far, everyone has been very receptive. The whole theory is to showcase all the best London and local players."
Commisso retired this year after 13 years with London City.
"It got harder to get over the aches and pains after every game so I realized it was time to go into a different direction. I'm very excited because I'm starting with a blank book with this team. You can start from scratch and decide what you want to do and what kind of team you want. We want mostly a local team. We are checking a lot of players in London but we have eyes out in Sarnia and other areas. There's a lot of youth team champions in this area and that means a lot of talented players."
Commisso likes the women's game because it's team-focused. "Women's soccer requires a full team effort," he said.
So does a league. It seems it finally happened.

LONDON GRYPHONS OPEN TRYOUTS

LONDON, ONTARIO - February 10 2005

The London Gryphons women’s W-League soccer team will hold open tryout/combines on February 27 2005. Tryouts will be limited to 75 participants per session and will be filled on a first-come first-served basis. Tryouts will be held from 11am -12:30 at North London Optimist Community Centre, 1345 Cheapside Street, London, Ontario, N5V 3N9Registration
There is no fee to attend tryouts. London Gryphons coaching staff and professional coaches from other teams will be assessing players attending the tryouts. Players must attend this session to be considered for the invitation only tryout in March.
Players invited by the London Gryphons staff to return and attend the London Gryphons Invitational Tryout in March, will be contacted the same day. Please confirm attendance via E-mail to acaranci@londongryphonsoccer.com
www.londongryphonsoccer.com

Gryphons start signings with local talents

Gryphons start signings with local talents

Gryphons sign local London players for inaugural 05 season. Natalie D'oria and Meaghan Robinson were the first to sign and bring a strong soccer passion to the first season
of The London Gryphons. "Natalie is a dynamic midfield player with an attacking
flair," said Head coach Paul D'Hollander "Her speed and tireless work ethic
make her a valuable attacking influence in the game. She has the ability to
play centrally as well as wide, she creates scoring opportunities for the forwards,
and she is very dangerous in the attack with her one-on-one ability." Meaghan
Robinson the other gifted athlete with an intense desire to succeed," said
D'Hollander."She adds incredible speed and physical play to our lineup. She
can play both centrally and wide. She has the ability to join the attack with
overlapping runs and can serve a dangerous ball into the attack."

Gryphons Sign Freshman All-America

LONDON, ONTARIO

Gryphons add Freshman All-America to its 05 roster. Kimberly Dimitroff isa fast and skillful forward who can beat a defender with speed or her incredibletechnical ability," said Paul D'Hollander Head Coach of the London Gryphons."She is a passionate goal scorer who will shred the defense and bury the shot.She will make all our forwards better with her ability." In her first yearat Kent State, she finished second in the MAC with 36 points, ranking secondwith 16 goals and also added four assists. Dimitroff led the conference andfinished 28th in the nation in points per game (1.80), while also leading theMAC in goals per game (0.80) and ranking 20th in the NCAA. Dimitroff set KentState single-season records for goals and points and also set a school recordby scoring in four consecutive games, doing so twice this season. The 16 goalsscored last season also moved Dimitroff into third place on the all-time goal-scoringlist at Kent State. Along with becoming the first Kent State player to receiveall-region honors, Dimitroff became just the second first team All-MAC performerin the 04 season. We're excited to be bringing in athletes who come from thehighest competitive backgrounds, as a result of that we can expect their transitionsin playing in the #2 ranked women’s league in the world the W-league to bea smooth one , said D'Hollander

Women's soccer group up in air

Morris Dalla Costa, Free Press sports columnist 2005-02-08 - 02:34:04

The Canadian Professional Soccer League is ready to kick off it's new women's division. Better make that sort of . . . maybe . . . perhaps.Well, at least Harry Gauss of London City has his women's team ready go this year.He'll have to wait and see whether the CPSL decides to begin operating the division this year or next. The league is awaiting approval from the Ontario Soccer Association for the women's division to be recognized.Confused? It's soccer. Expect to be confused."We're ready to go," Gauss said before heading to Toronto to discuss the women's teams and other soccer business. "We need someplace to showcase these women players. These are women who can play at the highest level of the game."Gauss has a coaching staff, with Tonino Commisso as head coach.Women's soccer is growing at all levels, particularly at the minor level. At various age groups, our national women's teams have had far more success than men's programs. With so many quality players, the CPSL thought it would be a natural for any city with a CPSL men's team to establish a woman's program.The league was also concerned about the advent of the W-League, a North American professional women's league. The W-League has several Canadian franchises but is administered in the United States.Twelve CPSL women's teams were expected to take to the field as of June 13, one for each CPSL men's franchise. But Gauss says six are scheduled to participate in a home-and-home schedule. Joining London will be Windsor, Oshawa, North York, Vaughan and Toronto Supra.Stan Adamson of the CPSL said yesterday there are some issues to resolve."In principle, the CPSL set up a women's division for this year," he said. "It's got some hurdles because there's already a women's structure in Ontario, so the CPSL has to apply to the OSA. The first consideration was to have (a division) in 2005, then, because of the things to be done to satisfy the OSA, that was changed to 2006."It's now still an attempt (to get it going) for 2005. It's very much at the planning stage, very much in the works. Whether it's 2005 or 2006 . . . if you ask Harry, he says 90 per cent for 2005, but realistically my numbers are a 50-50 proposition for 2005. It could go in 2005 but it may be put back to 2006 because there's a lot of work to be done."If you work through that carefully, you can come up with this translation: No one knows what's going on and there hasn't been enough preparation done. What hits you is that even though the CPSL made an announcement last May about the women's component, here it is February and it still has no approval from the OSA. In fact, only six of the teams in the CPSL have decided to enter teams in a women's division.No translation needed for that number."I think (the OSA) likes what the CPSL has and what they can do," Adamson said."Their inclination is to say, 'These people are in the business of soccer at a professional level but it has to go through a process.' "Gauss has always been a progressive sort when it comes to soccer. If something is good for the game, it should be implemented. But anyone who follows the game or has been involved in it also knows how difficult it is to change anything for the better."It's a culture shock for some people. They still can't believe that women are out of the kitchen," Gauss said."The numbers tell us this is a growing product and it's a good product. It can be entertaining."Now that's something to look forward to this year. Or is it next year? Better make that whenever.Copyright © The London Free Press

Gryphons unveil club nights program

Club Nights at Gryphons
Home Games Bring your club to
a 2005 GRYPHONS Game!

The London Gryphons are proud to promote youth soccer
in the Southwestern Ontario. For this reason, we offer great incentives to
get your soccer club to a Gryphons game. Your entire soccer club is in for
an exciting day at North London Stadium Field where, in addition to watching
a fantastic game, they’ll be able to participate in fun activities.
Pre-game Youth Matches in North London Stadium Field
Your club’s teams can have matches right on the field! The kids will never
forget it!
Youth Escorts for Gryphons and Visiting Team Players
As the starting lineups are announced, each youth player runs onto the field
with a Gryphon or visiting player and remains on the field with the teams for
the playing of the national anthem.
Youth Ball Managers Line the Field Perimeter
Your teams can take turns lining the field to “stand guard” to collect soccer
balls kicked out of play.
Recognition in PA Announcements
Hear your soccer club’s name in the Stadium! Have your club listed on the
program guide.
To qualify for this great event for your club, you only
need to purchase a minimum of 75 tickets to reserve your date with the Gryphons.You
may use your tickets for players as well as their families and friends.
Tickets are just $3 each—a savings of $2 per ticket! For all of their hard
work, club night organizers receive two Reserved Season passes at North London
Stadium Field.
Club Nights – Min 75 tickets $250 needed to secure date
Escorts, ball managers
half time game on field (age restrictions)
For more info contact :
teams@londongryphonsoccer.com

Paul Munster to regain full fitness

7.2.2005

Northern Irish Slavia forward Paul Munster was elected Slavia star of the month in the voting of fans, especially for his performances in the preparatory tournament. But Paul suffered an instep injury in the last match of Tipsport Cup in Prague on 26 January. Nevertheless during the training camp in Turkey he was in the starting line-up in the first game, but had to be substituted after twenty minutes of play. "I suffered the minor injury in one of the friendlies and I needed more time to recover fully from it," Paul told to our website after the return to Prague. How long will it take to return to the pitch? "I was swimming on Monday, I will test it with running tomorrow and kicking the ball on Wednesday training. I can´t wait to get fitness and get back to full training." Slavia will restart training on Wednesday morning. It will be a special day for Paul as he will celebrate his 23rd birthday. Many happy returns (Vsechno nejlepsi!), Paul!

Interim tag removed from Gryphons

Immediate Release Feb 6 2005

Interim tag removed from Gryphons
Head Coach position ,Paul D'hollanders appointment as the head coach of the London Gryphons
followed a year of service to their exhibition season where he assumed interim duties during 04. D'hollander assumes duties immediately and wastes no time at signing high caliber players for the upcomming season GM Aldo Caranci says.
We are getting a coach that is not only familiar with our organization but has an extensive
knowledge of high caliber coaching he knows what he wants and goes for it. Ladies that have signed to date are pleased to have D'hollander Back for their Inagural year.

Western Women's Soccer Coach steps down

Western Women's Soccer Coach steps down to pursue Ph.D.
Feb 3rd, 2005
by Jeff Renaud

Western Mustangs Women's Soccer Coach Michael Van Bussel has stepped down as head coach of the Western women's soccer team to devote his time towards the completion of his doctoral studies at the Faculty of Education at Western. "We are grateful to Coach Van Bussel for his contribution to our program and wish him all the best in his academic pursuits," stated Michael Lysko, Director of Sports and Recreational Services. "He has played an integral role in the success of the women's soccer program here at Western the past two seasons and has left a tremendous foundation for us to continue to be competitive on a national level.” “Due to the intense demands of my educational commitments, and with great regret, I have decided it is necessary to step down as head coach of the Women's Soccer Program at Western,” stated Van Bussel. “This is necessary to successfully fulfill the requirements of my doctorate in Educational Studies. Indeed, this was a very difficult decision for me as I am very proud of the accomplishments of the Western Women's Soccer Program over the past two years. Moreover, the players and coaches that I have worked with during my tenure are wonderful people and I will miss them immensely. I would like to wish the program best of luck and continued success in the future.” Van Bussel was named Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Coach of the Year this past season as he led Western to the OUA gold medal. The Mustangs capped an undefeated regular season record of 10 wins and a tie as Western beats Queen’s 2-1 in the championship game. In 2003, Van Bussel guided the Mustangs to a perfect regular season record of 10-0 and Western went on to win the OUA bronze medal. He was named OUA Coach of the Year for 2003. Van Bussel was appointed head coach of the women's soccer team in January 2003. He replaced Mark Eys, who led the squad from 2000-2002. The search for a replacement for Van Bussel begins immediately.

Women's Soccer Announces 2005 Signing Class

Signees Include Three Local Players
Feb. 2, 2005

BOCA RATON, FL - The FAU women's soccer family just got bigger, as head coach Brian Dooley announced today the addition of five student-athletes to the 2005 squad. Signing national letters of intent on the first day of the national signing period were Natalie D'Oria, Jessica Badders, and South Florida stars Ashley Mannarino and Katie Howe. Also set to join the team is Ohio transfer Isdy Diaz. They will all join an FAU team that has won two of the past three Atlantic Sun Conference regular season championships.
"We feel we've improved the team in critical need areas with this class," said Dooley. "Along with that, we've improved the overall team speed and athleticism. We're excited to be bringing in student-athletes who come from the highest competitive backgrounds, as we can expect their transitions to be smoother as a result of that."
D'Oria, a 5-3 midfielder from London, Ontario, Canada, attends Catholic Central High School and played club soccer for London United. She was also a member of the Provincial Team and attended the National Training Center. Playing for Catholic Central, she was a member of the 2004 OFSAA Ontario girls' soccer runners-up (silver medalists) and scored the team's only goal, an equalizer, in the championship final.

"Natalie is a dynamic midfield player with an attacking flair," said Dooley. "Her speed and tireless work ethic make her a valuable attacking influence in the game. She has the ability to play centrally as well as wide, she creates scoring opportunities for the forwards, and she is very dangerous in the attack with her one-on-one ability."
Badders, a 5-8 goalkeeper from Southlake, TX, attends Southlake Carroll High School and played club soccer for D'Feeters Soccer Club, 2002-04 and Texas American Eagles SC, 1997-02. She has been a member of the NTSSA Olympic Development Program since 1999. In addition to earning All-District 7-5A honors as a goalkeeper, Badders was also named Academic All-District, earned several academic honors, and competed on the Southlake Carroll Track and Cross Country teams.
"Jessica is a strong keeper with exceptional distribution skills," said Dooley. "She plays high out of the penalty area and is equally adept at playing with her feet or her hands. She is a good shot blocker and controls the defensive third with her ability to organize the defense."
Mannarino, a 5-5 forward from Boca Raton, FL, attends Boca Raton Pope John Paul II and played club soccer for Team Boca. In addition to playing for the Florida Olympic Development Team, she also was a member of Class 3A State runners-up in 2004, and scored their only goal in the championship game against Melbourne Central Catholic. Selected to the 2004 All-State First Team by the Florida Sports Writers Association, she was also named First Team All-Palm Beach County by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel as a junior when she led all midfielders in scoring with 30 goals and 21 assists
"Ashley is a fast and skillful forward who can beat a defender with speed or her incredible technical ability," said Dooley. "She is a passionate goal scorer who will shred the defense and bury the shot. She will make all our forwards better with her ability."
Howe, a 5-5 defender from Saint Lucie West, FL, attends Centennial High and played club soccer for Palm Beach United. She has been a member of the Florida Youth Soccer Association State Champions for the past three seasons (2002-04).
"Katie is a gifted athlete with an intense desire to succeed," said Dooley. "She adds incredible speed and physical play to our defense. She can play both centrally and wide. She has the ability to join the attack with overlapping runs and can serve a dangerous ball into the attack."
Diaz, a 5-7 defender from Boca Raton, FL, transfers to Florida Atlantic from Ohio University. A four-year letter winner with all-county, all-conference, and all-area accolades dating back to her sophomore season, she helped lead Spanish River HS to the Florida state title. With the Bobcats, she appeared in 16 games and started four times in two years. She rejoins former Team Boca teammates Christina Rodrigues and Cristina Chang on the FAU roster.
"Isdy is a strong central or wide defender with physical presence," said Dooley. "She will bring a technical presence in the defense with the ability to possess the ball and connect with the attack."
The Lady Owls, who finished third in the Atlantic Sun last season and lost just five seniors, should be a favorite to reach even greater heights this season. FAU's top six scorers from last season are all scheduled back in 2005, including first team Atlantic Sun honorees Denise Brolly, Katri Nokso-Koivisto, and Susanna Lehtinen.

GRYPHONS SCHEDULE

USL Unveils 2005 W-League Schedule
Defending champion Vancouver opens May 14 at home
USL News Release Wednesday, February 2, 2005 TAMPA, FL

United Soccer Leagues announced the W-League season schedulefor 2005 Wednesday. The 34-team league kicks off its 239-game schedule May6 in Bradenton, Florida with the Bradenton Athletics playing host to the CarolinaDynamo Women. Opening Weekend in the W-League continues the following nightwhen the Dynamo visit the expansion Central Florida Krush in Orlando and theexpansion Atlanta Silverbacks Women play host to the 2003 champion HamptonRoads Piranhas. The defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps open defenseof their title May 14 at home against the Arizona Heatwave. Fellow finalist New Jersey Wildcats kick off their 2005 campaign the samenight with a road trip to the Big Apple to play the New York Magic. Vancouver and New Jersey will be looking to continue their unbeaten streakswhen they open the season after finishing in a draw in the 2004 final. Bothcompleted the season unbeaten with New Jersey at 17-0-1 and the Whitecaps at15-0-2. The season comes to a close July 24 with nine games.