CREDIT: JEN DOEDE (TEAM PHOTO) / FANSHAWE ATHLETICS (ACTION SHOTS)
Both the men's and women's soccer teams are having incredible seasons, with both currently in 1st place in the OCAA West Division, and plan to keep up a positive mindset for success.

The Fanshawe men and women's soccer teams are off to a fantastic start to the season, with both teams leading in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) West Division.

The men's team is currently ranked 1st in the OCAA with five wins, zero losses and one tie game so far. Rob Pereira, the head coach for the men's soccer team, explained that the team is off to a good start and is coming together well.

“The team's going to take it one game at a time and continue to focus on what's in front of us at the moment. We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves. We still have a lot of work to do to maintain our position in the standings. Niagara and St.Clair are not far behind us,” Pereira said.

The team recently defeated the Redeemer Royal 2-0 with Mike Sneddon scoring a goal in the 78th minute off a corner kick and Jacob Atkinson scoring the team's second goal in the 84th minute. In their final game up to date (Sept 26), the men defeated the Lambton Lion with a 5-0 win.

“I would say the team's greatest strength is that we all know each other and communicate well. We are like a big family. We hang out on and off the field and we trust each other,” Daniel Amaya, a midfielder for the men's soccer team said.

With their victorious momentum, the men's team has moved up to 6th place in national rankings. The woman's team is also ranked 1st in the OCAA West Division with six wins, zero losses, and zero tie games so far.

“I think we have a really good group of players that are focused on the team's game plan and objectives,” said Mike Marcoccia, the head coach for the women's soccer team. “Because we have what I consider a younger group, we have a lot of player who are willing to learn and take in new concepts.”

According to a Fanshawe athletics' press release on Sept. 23, Sheree Uyl tied the Fanshawe women's soccer single game scoring record with six goals. The record breaking sixth goal came from a dominating victory against the Redeemer Royals on Sept. 23 with a final game score of 11-0.

The team played their latest game on Sept. 27 against the Lambton Lions and won 4-0.

Amber-Lea Hodgins, a defender for the women's soccer team, and Selena Roberts, a midfielder for the women's soccer team, agreed that the team's greatest strength is its chemistry and how fast the team has bonded compared to other teams.

“I think we have a very unique coaching style,” Hodgins said. “Our coach has taught us a unique playstyle that no other college team plays. We are able to outplay a lot of teams with the way we play.”

“Every game we look at the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent and look to utilize ours against them. But ultimately, when things are going our way this early we will look to build on [these elements] and be better in the areas we haven't been strong in so far,” Marcoccia said.

As a result of their terrific performance, the women's soccer team has moved up to 9th place in national rankings. Click on the thumbnails below to view a larger version of each image.