In late-August, the student-athletes from the women’s soccer team at Holland College once again gathered in Prince Edward Island to begin their training ahead of another season.  Like every year, the excitement was there to rejoin teammates and coaches, staff and fans, and once again prepare to wear the maroon, black and white ahead of another Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) season.

However, this fall had an extra level of excitement among the team.  The Hurricanes are hosts of the 2023 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Soccer National Championship.

“I’m super excited.  It’s really awesome to be able to compete against the best from across the country”, shared fourth-year striker from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Emily Lepine. 

Her teammate, Helena Vos, a fourth-year centre-back from Charlottetown, PEI, echoes her feelings.  “It’s an honour to be able to play at the national level. So few get to be a part of a championship like this so I’m just thankful for this opportunity.”

The event will feature the Hurricanes, as well as conference champions from the ACAA, Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST), Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC), Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC), Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) and Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ). The RSEQ conference will also receive an invite for their runner-up as the 2022 CCAA National Champions were representatives from their conference, Collège Ahuntsic, from Montréal.  This will complete the eight-team championship.

“To say we are excited to host the CCAA Women’s Soccer National Championship in Summerside would be an understatement,” shared Director of Athletics and Recreation at Holland College, Albert Roche. “Everyone involved sees the wonderful opportunity to work with the City of Summerside and the Credit Union Place to welcome teams from across the nation to our Island. We have always taken great pride in showcasing our Island to our visitors and Summerside’s renowned hospitality will be on full display for the week of nationals. Our goal will be to provide a memorable student-athlete experience and create an atmosphere where the competition will be enjoyed by all. Holland College has a strong identity in Summerside and we can’t wait to bring the CCAA national championship to the city.”

While Prince Edward Island is Canada’s smallest province, the members of the Hurricanes can’t wait to show it off to the rest of the country.

“It’s huge for PEI to be able to host a national women’s championship,” shared third-year centre-back from Charlottetown, Keanna Ryan.  “We can show that we can host a tournament of this level and show the young girls of PEI that they can reach this level of play someday.” 

Lepine agrees.  “I think it’s super important, especially for the youth players, being able to come out and watch competition at such a high level. It can really inspire them.  It’s pretty cool to think that you may be inspiring someone to be a better player someday.”

While the Hurricanes automatically earn a position in the championship, they’ve not let this dampen their intensity on the pitch this fall. The team currently holds a 10-0-0 regular season record in ACAA competition, with just two fixtures remaining.  The roster has grown incredibly close over the season and looks to use this to their advantage when it’s time to suit up in November.

“The team has been a great family for me on the Island,” shared first-year fullback, Cassandra Forsuh, from Cameroon. “I’m far from home, but it feels like home with the team.  It means so much to me, and I’m really proud and happy to be among them; I can’t wait to showcase our talents.”

There is a pattern when asking the other members of the roster what this team means to them.

“From my teammates to coaches to members of the athletics staff, it’s grown to become like a second family for me the last few years,” shares Lepine.  “I think this year in particular is the closest and strongest team I’ve ever been a part of.” 

Ryan agrees.  “We’re honestly like a family. During the off-season pretty much all I look forward to is the season getting here again.”

As does Helena Vos. “My first year was during Covid, so in my three years since my love for the program has grown and grown. I just love and respect everyone like a family here on this team.”

Head coach, Jonathan Vos, has had his hands full, as he does every fall, coaching both the men’s and women’s varsity soccer teams at Holland College. He’s had the pleasure of watching the women’s team bond over the fall as they aim to finish the regular season at the top-of-the-table.  They’ll also have the benefit of playing on home soil later into the fall than normal this year.

“It is a special moment for us to play host to the best teams in the CCAA. Playing at Nationals is every team’s goal and getting to host is a unique moment for all the student-athletes, coaches and everyone associated with Holland College.  We are looking forward to playing on the big stage with the support of the Island behind us.”

The championship will take place at the Eric Johnson Turf Field at the Credit Union Place in Summerside, PEI.  Action will begin on Wednesday, November 8, with the national champion being crowned on Saturday, November 11.

This is the eighth time the Hurricanes have attended the CCAA National Women’s Soccer Championship, previously competing in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2021. Keanna Ryan feels this is one of the strongest rosters she’s ever seen at Holland College.

“Our team has a lot of depth this year. I think this is the best team I’ve been a part of in my three years here and maybe further back than that.”

While there are a lot of perks to competing in an event of this level, it seems that being able to play on home soil is what matters the most to the members of the Hurricanes.

“I’m incredibly grateful,” said Lepine. “I know hosting a national championship isn’t easy, so I’m grateful for what Holland College has done to allow us to experience this event. It’s so close to home so being able to have my family come over from Nova Scotia and watch me play is amazing. I’m really excited that they can be here and experience our team as we compete at nationals.”

Keanna Ryan adds to her point. “I’m super excited to be able to represent Holland College at nationals at home.  I can’t wait to get out there and compete, and make everyone here at Holland College, proud.”

“I’m looking forward to having family and friends in the stands,” shares Helena Vos. “This is my second CCAA nationals, so having our home fans in the stands for this one is going to be so awesome, it’s going to be great.”

This will be a unique opportunity for fans to see the top collegiate players in Canada competing on Prince Edward Island for four-days of matches.  In a sport where fan support can make a big difference, Islanders are urged to take in a match, or two, and cheer on your Island team.

“It’s so exciting to have the opportunity to compete at the national level here in Canada,” shared Forsuh. “The word I’ll use is excitement. I’m proud of our team and lucky to be a part of it. I’m looking forward to making Holland College, and Prince Edward Island proud.  I’m looking forward to this experience and maybe we can inspire the next generation of female soccer stars.”

For information on the 2023 CCAA National Women’s Soccer Championship, including ticket information, visit www.ccaa.ca.

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Daniel Cudmore

Athletics Development and Communications Coordinator

Department of Athletics and Recreation

Holland College

(902) 894-6870

dccudmore@hollandcollege.com