The Niagara Knights women's curling team will take to the ice in Thunder Bay from February 11-14 for the 2016 OCAA Curling Championships, hosted by Confederation College. The Knights will play a single-game round robin against each of their opponents at the Port Arthur Curling Club.
After failing to advance to the playoff portion of the tournament last year, a veteran Knights team is hungry to prove themselves. Returning four members from last year's team, head coach Jordan Thin believes his team is ready for the challenge. "They are hungry to succeed at OCAA's and earn their spot in the CCAA National Championship," Thin said of his team's chances. The Knights will play teams from Fleming, Humber, Fanshawe, Confederation and Seneca through round robin play at the championship.
Team skip, second-year Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Assistant student Megan Droog (Harriston), will be looking to propel her team to victory. She has the ability to call an excellent game and understands her team dynamic when making decisions. Allison Mondloch (St. Catharines), a third year Autism & Behavioural Science student, has taken strides to become a steady for in the vice position for the Knights. Samantha Lees (St. Thomas), a second-year Culinary student, is a player who will be relied on for her steady work ethic from the first to final rock of every match. The team's lead Bronte Chin (Scarborough), a second-year general arts student, is a consistent player who will be the key to setting the Knights up for success in each end. Danika Thompson (Perth), a first-year Early Childhood Education student, will serve as the Knights alternate for the Championship and is ready to assume the challenge should the situation arise.
Having participated in two bonspiel's leading into the championship, the Knights finished both weekends a victory away from taking the event's top prize. Through the two bonspiel's this season, the Knights hold the season edge over the Fleming Knights (1-0), while they split with the Humber Hawks (1-1) and Fanshawe Falcons (1-1). The Knights lost both of their matches to the Seneca Sting (0-2) and did not compete against the Confederation Thunderhawks.
Following the round robin the top four teams will advance to the semi-final to compete for a spot in the gold medal match. The top two teams at the OCAA Championships will advance to the CCAA National Championships, hosted by the Fanshawe Falcons, at the Highland Country Club from March 23-26. It is a wide open field heading to Thunder Bay and the Knights will be looking to take advantage of the opportunity.
For more information on the event visit http://www.ocaacurlingchamps16.ca/. The event will be streamed live at http://livestream.com/accounts/17346644/events/4776820.
