October 28, 2021…WELLAND - The Niagara College Knights women's soccer program was honoured with several top Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) awards this morning.
The OCAA made their announcement at 11:00 am this morning to coincide with the OCAA Women's Soccer Championships being held in London, Ont. October 29-30th at Fanshawe College.
Head coach Rob Lalama coached his team to a perfect 6-0 regular season, earning himself the OCAA Women's Soccer Coach of the Year. Lalama earned his second OCAA South Division Coach of the Year nod this season as well, following it up to his 2019-2020 West Division Coach of the Year award. Lalama is also nominated for the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Coach of the Year.
"Rob Lalama is the type of coach that everyone wants as a leader for their team but also as a member of their athletic staff team," said Athletics and Recreation associate director, Michele O'Keefe.
"Rob and his staff, while technically masterful in their preparation, are also very caring coaches. They've created a healthy learning environment that puts the student-athletes in a position to succeed. He is a lifelong learner and that is shown as the team continues to improve and grow each season."
Lalama has been with the Knights women's program since 2017 and has coached to a 22-9-4 record and has made a post-season appearance every year since 2018.
Fourth-year midfielder Sydney Sica earned the OCAA Women's Soccer Player of the Year Award with nine goals and 18 points this season. After spending the last two seasons with Brock University, Sica had a standout year with the Knights, earning herself CCAA All-Canadian status, as well as a South Division All-Star recognition.
Knights second-year midfielder Terin Hultink earned the OCAA South Division Top Scoring award with her 9 goals and 20 points this season. Together, Hultink and Sica combined for 18 of their teams 22 goals this season. Hultink was also named to the OCAA South Division All-Star team.
First-year defender McKenna Jackson had an outstanding rookie season for the blue and white in her first OCAA season. Her consistent play earned her the OCAA South division Rookie of the Year award as well as the OCAA South Division Defensive Player of the Year award. McKenna was a solid contributor to the Knights D line, and was a key reason why the Knights finished with just two goals against all season. Jackson also earned herself OCAA South Division All-Star recognition.
Impressively, Niagara swept the OCAA South Division All-Star team with all five of seven all-stars coming from the Knights. Along with Sica and Hultink, midfielders Ashley Altamirano and Alyssa Arcand were also named to the OCAA South Division All-Star team.
Niagara's 6-0 record this season earned them the OCAA South Division Champion status as well as the Best Defensive Team.
The Knights season came to a heartbreaking end on October 23rd when they hosted Humber College in the OCAA quarterfinal match. Humber outscored the Knights 3-0 to advance to the OCAA Championships.
